Clinical Observations on Safety of Fixed Dose Rate Gemcitabine Chemotherapy by Intravenous Infusion

To observe the safety of fixed dose rate gemcitabine by intravenous infusion (iv-FDR) for cancers. Methods: From January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2009, four patients who were pathologically diagnosed with advanced pancreatic or breast cancer were recruited into this study. They were treated by gemcitabine 10mg/m2/min iv-FDR on days 1 and 8, and combined with other chemotherapeutics, repeated every four weeks. Toxicity was determined in line with the National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC). Results: The main toxicity was reversible myelosuppression; other side effects included gastrointestinal toxicity and liver impairment. Cardiac or renal toxicity was not detected. Conclusion: The toxicity of iv-FDR gemcitabine combination chemotherapy was well tolerated, so that iv-FDR gemcitabine deserves to be further studied as a treatment option.