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

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.