A Retrospective Analysis of Combination of Gemcitabine and Docetaxel in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective To determine the response rate,time to disease progression,survival,and safety profile of the therapeutic effects of Gemcitabine combinded with Docetaxel on patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Forty-two patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma were enrolled from February 2006 to February 2010.Chemotherapy dose and method of setting：Docetaxel 30 mg/m2,Gemcitabine 800 mg/m2 intravenously over 30 minutes on days 1 and 8.21 days for one cycle,two cycles were evaluated. Results Whole group of 42 patients total effective rate was 21.4%,with an additional 47.6% of patients with stable disease,for a disease control rate of 69.0%.,complete response rate was 0(0/42),partial remission rate was 21.4%(9/42),stable was 47.6%(20/42),progress was 31.0%(13/42).The median time to progression was 4.1 months (95% confidence interval,2.14-7.26 months),median survival time was 9.2 months (95% confidence interval,4.25-18.12 months).No treatment-related death,this chemotherapy combination was generally well tolerated.Decline in peripheral blood granulocytes,thrombocytopenia,mild anemia,gastrointestinal reactions,fatigue and occasional diarrhea and rash were commonly observed but were easily managed without discontinuing further treatment. Conclusion The significant antitumor activity combined with a mild toxicity profile seen from this study argues that Gemcitabine and Docetaxel chemotherapy may benefit patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.This regimen warrants further evaluation in a randomized study with survival and quality of life end points.