Gemcitabine as single agent in the treatment of elderly patients with advanced non small cell lung cancer

Background: In phase II trials gemcitabine proved to be an active agent in NSCLC, producing a clinical benefit, often higher than response rate. Patients and Methods: We assessed the impact of gemcitabine treatment on response rate and quality of life in 21 untreated elderly patients (aged > 70 years) with NSCLC. Gemcitabine (1250 mg/sm) was administered days 1-8 every 21 days. Response and toxicity were analyzed according to WHO criteria. The assessement of quality of life was performed by analysing a disease symptom related questionnaire completed by the patient. Results: All the patients were evaluable: we found 7 PR (33%), 5 SD (24%) and 9 PD; the median duration of response was 24 weeks; the median overall survival 32 weeks; WHO grade 2 leukopenia (in 4 patients) and thrombocytopenia (grade 3 in 1 patient and grade 2 in two patients) were the main toxic effects. A clinical benefit was demonstrated in all 12 patients with PR or SD and in 3 patients with PD. Conclusions; These data confirm that gemcitabine is a well tolerated and active therapeutic approach in elderly non small cell lung cancer patients.