Clinical Observation of Gemcitabine Monotherapy in Treatment of Elder Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and toxicity of Gemcitabine monotherapy in the treatment of elder advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). MethodsFifty four eldly patients with stage Ⅲ~Ⅳ non-small cell lung cancer were randomly divided into test group and control group depending on using or not using Gemcitabine for treatment. Thirty cases of test group were treated with Gemcitabine 800～1000 mg/m2 on d1,8 intravenously. Repeated every 21 days and with at least 2 cycles. Control group was given the best supportive care. ResultsIn the 30 evaluable cases, CR was observed in 0 case and PR in 9 cases, the total response rate was 30.0%(9/30). Median time to progression (TTP) of all the patients was 4.9 months, and median survival time was 6.5 months. The main side effect was decrease of leucopenia and platelet, but most of them were at gradeⅠ~Ⅱ. ConclusionGemcitabine monotherapy is effective and safe in the treatment of elder advanced NSCLC. The toxicities were well tolerated.