Korean J Urol.  2003 Aug;44(8):739-744.

Efficacy and Toxicity of Gemcitabine Plus Cisplatin Chemotherapy in Advanced Urothelial Cancer

• Jung JH
• Lee SJ
• Kim HW
• Cho SY
• Kim SW
• Lee CB
• Kang SH
• Cho YH
• Cho DH
• Yoon MS

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess the response to, and toxicity of, combination chemotherapy, with gemcitabine and cisplatin, in patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelial tract.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirty-seven patients with advanced transitional cell carcinomas were treated with gemcitabine, 1,000mg/m2, intravenously for 30 minutes, on days 1, 8 and 15 and cisplatin, 70mg/m2, for 1 hour on day 2 of each 28-day cycle. Twenty-four that completed more than 3 cycles were evaluated for their response, but all patients were evaluated for the toxicity. The full dose of the drugs was administered to all patients.
RESULTS
Three(12.5%) of the 24 patients achieved a complete response and 2 (37.5%) achieved a partial response, showing an overall response rate of 50%. The main toxicities were myelosupression, with an incidence of 34% thrombocytopenia, 40% leukopenia and 28% anemia, but only 6% of grades 3 to 4. Non-hematological toxicity was mild, with a low incidence of 46% nausea and vomiting, and only 6% of grades 3 to 4.
CONCLUSIONS
Combination chemotherapy, with gemcitabine and cisplatin, exhibits significant activity and favorable toxicity in advanced transitional carcinomas, although long-term follow-up and further studies are warranted.

Keyword

Gemcitabine; Cisplatin; Transitional cell carcinoma; Treatment outcome; Toxicity

MeSH Terms

Anemia
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell
Cisplatin*
Drug Therapy*
Drug Therapy, Combination
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Incidence
Leukopenia
Nausea
Thrombocytopenia
Treatment Outcome
Vomiting
Cisplatin