HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Current role of gemcitabine in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma.

Abstract
Most patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) can be cured with initial multiagent chemotherapy. About 20-30% of the patients, however, experience refractory or relapsed diseases, for which effective salvage treatment is needed. Recent studies have shown promising activity of gemcitabine, a pyrimidine analogue commonly used in solid tumors, also in HL. Single agent gemcitabine in relapsed or refractory HL produces overall response rate of about 40%. Even in post-transplant patients, response rate is about 20%. Combination regimens with other agents such as cisplatin, vinorelbine, doxorubicin, ifosfamide and steroid have also been evaluated for relapsed or refractory diseases. These regimens generally have favorable toxicity profile and overall response rate exceeds 70%. Gemcitabine containing regimens have also been evaluated in upfront setting for early stage HL. The regimens containing bleomycin and gemcitabine, however, are associated with clinically significant pulmonary toxicity in 30-42% of patients and thus not recommended for further evaluation. A bleomycin sparing regimen consisting of doxorubicin, vinblastine and gemcitabine produced insufficient response rate and is also not recommended as the first treatment. Further studies are needed to evaluate the optimal timing and combination of gemcitabine. Combination regimens with other novel target therapy agents are also of great interest.
AuthorsYasuhiro Oki, Anas Younes
JournalLeukemia & lymphoma (Leuk Lymphoma) Vol. 49 Issue 5 Pg. 883-9 (May 2008) ISSN: 1029-2403 [Electronic] United States
PMID18452104 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
Chemical References
  • Deoxycytidine
  • Gemcitabine
Topics
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use, toxicity)
  • Deoxycytidine (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
  • Hodgkin Disease (drug therapy)
  • Humans
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Gemcitabine

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: