Single-agent gefitinib in patients with untreated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer and poor performance status: a Minnie Pearl Cancer Research Network Phase II Trial.

Background: Patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and poor performance status (PS) are often excluded from trials. Gefitinib is a safe oral agent that may benefit these patients.

Patients And Methods: Seventy-two patients with poor PS and advanced NSCLC were enrolled onto this study of gefitinib 250 mg per day given orally until disease progression, with evaluation at 8 weeks.

Phase I trial of gemcitabine, administered as a standard and constant dose-rate infusion, in combination with paclitaxel in patients with advanced solid tumors (LOA-2).

The major purposes of this study were to determine the maximally tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), toxicity profile, and antitumor activity of gemcitabine and paclitaxel combination therapy when administered to patients with advanced solid tumors, using two infusion schedules of each agent. Paclitaxel was administered on day 1, followed by gemcitabine, and gemcitabine alone was administered on day 8, of each 21-day treatment course. In the initial phase of the trial, paclitaxel was administered during 3 hours and gemcitabine during 30 minutes (schedule A).

A Phase II trial of topotecan and gemcitabine in patients with previously treated, advanced nonsmall cell lung carcinoma.

Background: Multiple trials have been performed to evaluate second-line clinical chemotherapy in patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). However, no single agent or combination has demonstrated superior activity.

Methods: Patients with advanced NSCLC who had already received one chemotherapeutic regimen were treated with topotecan (0.