| Title | Preliminary results of phase II study of capecitabine and gemcitabine (CAP-GEM) in patients with metastatic pretreated thymic epithelial tumors (TETs). | | Author(s) | Palmieri G, Merola G, Federico P, Petillo L, Marino M, Lalle M, Milella M, Ceribelli A, Montella L, Merola C, Del Prete S, Bergaglio M, De Placido S, Di Lorenzo G | | Institution | Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology Department, University Federico II, Napoli. | | Source | Ann Oncol 2009 Oct 30. | | Abstract | BACKGROUND: No previous prospective trials have been reported with capecitabine and gemcitabine (CAP-GEM) in patients with metastatic thymic epithelial tumors (TETs). We conducted a multicenter study to determine the activity and tolerability of this regimen in pretreated TETs.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 15 patients were enrolled in the first stage of phase II study. All patients received CAP-GEM every 3 weeks. The primary end point was objective response rate (RR); secondary end points were toxicity, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival.
RESULTS: Complete responses (CR) and partial responses were observed in three (20%) and three (20%) patients for a 40% RR, respectively. Grade 1-2 neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia were the most common side-effects, noted in seven (46.7%), five (33.3%) and five (33.3%) patients, respectively. The most common grade 3 toxicity was neutropenia in three patients (20%). Median PFS was 11 months (95% confidence interval 4-17). The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 80% and 67%, respectively.
CONCLUSION: We have decided to publish the preliminary results because this regimen was more active than that expected. Although our results are preliminary, CAP-GEM shows activity and safety in pretreated TETs. Furthermore, multicenter trials, also in first-line setting, are necessary to confirm our results. | | Language | ENG | | Pub Type(s) | JOURNAL ARTICLE
| | PubMed ID | 19880439 |
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