Phase II trial of prolonged infusion gemcitabine as second line treatment in non-small cell lung cancer

7316 Background: Gemcitabine (2'2'- diflurordeoxycytidine, dFd) is conventionally administered over 30 minutes (800–1250mg/m2). Prolonged gemcitabine infusion achieves higher intracellular dFd-triphosphate concentrations and might produce greater cytotoxicity in treatment for nonsmall cell lung cancer. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the treatment with prolonged infusion gemcitabine in non small cell lung cancer patients who had progressive disease after one platinum containing regimen. Methods: Patients received gemcitabine 800mg/m2 intravenously at 10mg/m2/min on day 1 and 8 every 21 days. Objective response, time to progression, overall survival and toxicity were assessed. Results: 28 patients were enrolled (March 1998 until September 1999). Median age was 62 (37–82). Most patients had an ECOG performance status (PS) of 0–1; 9 patients had an ECOG PS =2. Histology was primarily adenocarcinoma followed by squamous, bronchioalveolar and adenocystic. In 27 evaluable patients, 1 achieved PR (3....