Gemcitabine and docetaxel every 2 weeks in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a phase II study of the Gruppo Oncologico Italia Meridionale

Abstract Introduction: Platinum-based chemotherapy is the gold standard in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), although with relevant toxic effects. Both docetaxel (DCT) and gemcitabine (GEM) have shown activity as single agent in advanced NSCLC with a different toxicity profile and a lack of cross-resistance. Materials and methods: From April 2000 to May 2001, 47 consecutive patients were enrolled in a multicenter phase II trial. Main inclusion criteria included untreated patients with histologically confirmed NSCLC, age⩽70 years, stage IIIB/IV, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS) 0–2, measurable disease, adequate hematologic, cardiac, hepatic and renal func…