Combining gemcitabine with radiation in pancreatic cancer: understanding important variables influencing the therapeutic index. Semin Oncol 2001 Jun;28(3 Suppl 10):25-33
Date
08/18/2001Pubmed ID
11510031DOI
10.1053/sonc.2001.22536Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0034880544 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 57 CitationsAbstract
We compared and evaluated available laboratory and clinical data on the use of concurrent gemcitabine (Gemzar; Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN) and radiation in pancreatic cancer to provide guidance for subsequent prospective research initiatives. Preclinical data suggest that the timing of administration of gemcitabine with respect to radiotherapy is important, but this issue has not yet been confirmed by clinical data. Phase I clinical data indicate that the amount of acute toxicity from the combination of gemcitabine and radiotherapy is strongly related to the dose and schedule of administration of gemcitabine, as well as to the radiation field size. There also appears to be an inverse linear relationship between the maximum tolerated gemcitabine dose and radiation dose. Also important, but less clear, is the infusion rate of gemcitabine as it relates to the systemic efficacy of the drug. The combination of additional agents with gemcitabine and radiation appears to be feasible. Finally, the addition of radioprotectors may enable chemotherapy dose escalation, but safe escalation of the radiotherapy dose with newer techniques has not been established. Semin Oncol 28 (suppl 10):25-33.
Author List
Crane CH, Wolff RA, Abbruzzese JL, Evans DB, Milas L, Mason K, Charnsangavej C, Pisters PW, Lee JE, Lenzi R, Lahoti S, Vauthey JN, Janjan NAAuthor
Douglas B. Evans MD Chair, Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Antimetabolites, AntineoplasticClinical Trials as Topic
Combined Modality Therapy
Deoxycytidine
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
Drug Administration Schedule
Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
Humans
Pancreatic Neoplasms
Radiation-Sensitizing Agents
Radiotherapy Dosage
