Fixed-dose rate infusion of gemcitabine and weekly cisplatin in elderly or poor performance status patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Our results indicate that this regimen is a feasible treatment for elderly or poor performance status patients with unresectable NSCLC. Nevertheless, the morbidity due to myelosuppression and infection following this treatment should be carefully considered.

Cisplatin-induced renal toxicity in elderly people

“…Because the total dose of cisplatin is similar, this treatment can significantly reduce the incidence of renal toxicity and improve the completion rate of chemotherapy cycle. 20,35 Comparing the administration of 30-40 mg/m 2 cisplatin for 3 consecutive days (A1) with 80-120 mg/m 2 cisplatin for only 1 day (A2) to elderly patients (both A1 and A2 were given hydration), the results showed that the incidence of grade III/ IV renal damage in A2 (15.4%) was significantly higher than that in A1 (2.5%). 29 The incidence of cisplatin-induced renal toxicity varies greatly among different types of tumors due to the different chemotherapy regimens, initial doses, and accumulated doses used.…”

“…This regimen has the same efficacy and less nephrotoxicity than a one-time high dose regimen. 20,35,36,69 In Ohe’s study, elderly (⩾75 years) patients with NSCLC were given chemotherapy consisting of 25 mg/m 2 cisplatin on days 1, 8, and 15. A small dose of hydration therapy was given (1500 ml of normal saline).…”