Gemcitabine and s-1 combination chemotherapy in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer: a retrospective study
Kazuhito Mita1, Hideto Ito, Masato Fukumoto
1Department of Surgery, New-Tokyo Hospital, Matsudo, Japan.
Background:
The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine and S-1 combination chemotherapy in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer.
Patients And Methods:
A retrospective study was performed on 15 consecutive patients. Gemcitabine was administered intravenously at 1,000 mg/m(2) on days 8 and 15. Oral S-1 (60 mg/m(2) in 2 divided doses) was given daily for the first 2 weeks, followed by 1 week of rest. This 3-week course of treatment was repeated. The primary endpoint was response rate, and the secondary endpoints were overall survival, progression-free survival, and safety.
Results:
The overall response rate was 26.7%, and the disease control rate was 73.4%. The overall survival was 12.0 months (95% CI, 9.5-14.5 months), and the progression-free survival was 8.0 months (95% CI, 4.3-11.7 months). Adverse events of grade 3 or 4 occurred in 33.3%, and the major grade 3/4 toxicities were anemia (20.0%), leukopenia (13.3%), and anorexia (13.3%).
Conclusion:
Gemcitabine and S-1 combination chemotherapy is effective and safe in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer.
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