文摘
Purpose Low-dose, prolonged infusion of gemcitabine has effects similar to standard doses in several cancers. We evaluated the toxicity and efficacy of low-dose gemcitabine in prolonged infusion plus cisplatin in patients with advanced pleural mesothelioma. Methods Patients with mesothelioma received gemcitabine (250?mg/m2) in a 6-h infusion plus cisplatin (35?mg/m2) on days 1 and 8 every three weeks. We used the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumours. This study is registered in clinical trials (NCT01869023). Results We included 39 patients; 82.1?% were low risk according to the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer prognostic group. Partial response was observed in 53.8?% (21/39), stable disease in 33.3?% (13/39) and progression in 12.8?% (5/39). The median progression-free survival was 6.9?months (95?% CI 3.2-0.6?months), and the associated factors were the EORTC risk and histology. The median overall survival was 20.7?months (95?% CI 10.7-0.8?months). The functional, physical and emotional roles and dyspnoea, insomnia and pain symptom scales improved. The most commonly graded 3/4 side effects were neutropenia (24.4?%), lymphopenia (14.6?%), thrombocytopenia (14.7?%) and anaemia (12.2?%). Conclusions Low-dose, prolonged gemcitabine infusion plus cisplatin has acceptable toxicity and high efficacy with improved quality of life, representing an affordable regimen for the low-income population.