@article{3085111,
    title = "A multicenter phase II study of the combination of irinotecan and
gemcitabine in previously treated patients with small-cell lung cancer",
    author = "Agelaki, S and Syrigos, K and Christophylakis, C and Boukovinas, J and and Varthalitis, J and Pavlakou, G and Athanasiadis, A and Kouroussis, C and and Vardakis, N and Maltezakis, G and Milaki, G and Georgoulias, V and Lung and Canc Subgroup HORG",
    journal = "DIAGNOSTIC ONCOLOGY",
    year = "2004",
    volume = "66",
    number = "3",
    pages = "192-196",
    publisher = "Karger",
    doi = "10.1159/000077994",
    keywords = "irinotecan (CPT-11); gemcitabine; pretreated small-cell lung cancer",
    abstract = "Objective: To evaluate efficacy and toxicity of the combination of
irinotecan and gemcitabine in pretreated patients having small-cell lung
cancer. Patients and Methods: Thirty-one patients ( median age 60 years,
performance status 0-1 in 87% and 2 in 13% of the patients) with
limited or extensive-stage disease, refractory or relapsing after at
least one prior chemotherapy regimen, received gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m(2)
on days 1 and 8 and irinotecan 300 mg/m(2) on day 8, every 21 days.
Sixteen (52%) patients had sensitive and 15 (48%) refractory disease.
Fifteen patients (48%) had received 62 prior regimens. Results: All
patients were evaluable for toxicity and 26 for response analysis. A
median of three ( range 1-6) cycles per patient was administered. Three
partial responses were documented for an overall response rate of 10%
(95% CI 0.73-20.09), and disease stabilization was obtained in 7
patients (22%; intention-to-treat analysis). Two of the responders had
refractory, and 1 had sensitive disease. The median time to progression
was 4.5 months, the median duration of responses was 2.5 months, and the
median survival time was 6 months. Grade 3-4 ( WHO) neutropenia was
observed in 9 patients (29%), grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia in 4 (13%),
and grade 3-4 diahrrea in 3 patients (10%). Three patients experienced
febrile neutropenia. No toxic deaths occurred. Conclusions: The
combination showed modest activity in this patient group with a poor
prognosis. Thus we believe it merits further investigation in the
treatment of patients with small-cell lung cancer who have failed one
prior chemotherapy regimen. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel."
}