Background:Gemcitabine therapy has not been widely assessed inthe treatment of hematological malignancies. We have examined the efficacy andsafety of gemcitabine in patients with relapsed or resistant lymphoma.
Patients and methods:Gemcitabine (1 g/m2) was givenweekly for 7 consecutive weeks, followed by a week off treatment. The drug wasthen given for 3 consecutive weeks, followed by a week off treatment; thisregimen was continued until disease progression or drug intolerance. Fifteenpatients have enrolled. Most have been extensively pre-treated for advanceddiffuse large-cell or mantle-cell lymphoma.
Results:The drug was well tolerated; no patient sufferedtreatment-related sepsis, hemorrhage or death. Non-hematopoietic toxicity ledto discontinuation of gemcitabine therapy in two patients. Dose reductions ordelays were required for about two-thirds of treatments. Of 13 evaluablepatients, one had a complete response, 3 a partial response, 3 stable disease,and 6 disease progression. After 6 infusions of gemcitabine, a patient withadvanced Hodgkin's disease has had a complete remission lasting 21 months.
Conclusions:Gemcitabine has substantial activity and acceptabletoxicity in heavily pre-treated patients with advanced lymphoma. Further studyis warranted.