Phase II trial of gemcitabine/irinotecan in refractory or relapsed small-cell lung cancer.

Background: Gemcitabine and irinotecan have shown a broad range of activity in solid tumors, including small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), with a synergistic effect on SCLC cell lines. The objective of this phase II trial was to evaluate the activity of gemcitabine/irinotecan in patients with relapsed SCLC.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-five patients (15 with refractory disease and 20 with sensitive disease) who had experienced treatment failure with 1 previous chemotherapy regimen were recruited.

Clinical benefit in NSCLC: advanced-stage patients require symptom-improving palliation. Experiences from the 'Iressa' expanded access program.

Background: The molecular genesis of lung cancer and its treatment remain hot spots of medical research because of the high mortality rates especially associated with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). New agents are required. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway inhibitor gefitinib (Iressa) has been the first approved drug for NSCLC within this new therapeutic class.