Docetaxel (Taxotere) and gemcitabine in combination therapy

In patients with advanced cancers, gemcitabine and docetaxel (Taxotere; Rhône-Poulenc Rorer, Antony, France) can be administered together at 80% to 100% of their single-agent doses on days 1 and 8 of an every-3-week cycle without undue toxicity. In phase 1/11 studies, this combination has demonstrated activity against a range of tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer, and may represent an alternative to cisplatin-based chemotherapy. In advanced cancer, benefits in quality of life are likely to result. The fact that the combination of gemcitabine and docetaxel is generally well tolerated also suggests that the regimen should be assessed in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings.