Source: DGNews  |  Posted 8 years ago

By Cameron Johnston

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK -- September 23, 2003 -- The combination of gemcitabine and capecitabine has been shown to be effective in stabilising patients with gallbladder cancer, prolonging survival somewhat, and with minimal toxicities, according to a study conducted in Toronto, Canada.

Cancer of the gallbladder is an extremely aggressive form of cancer, with survival times rarely exceeding 6 months. This form of cancer is also known to respond poorly, if at all, to traditional chemotherapy regimens.

The results of the study were presented here September 22nd at ECCO 12: The European Cancer Conference.

According to the investigators, lead by Dr. J.J. Knox, Princess Margaret Hospital/University Health Network, Toronto, Canada, patients in the study were treated with 1000 mg/m2 of gemcitabine on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle, and with twice daily oral capecitabine 650 mg/m2 on days 1 to 14.

Thirteen patients in the study had cancer of the gallbladder and 12 had cholangiocarcinoma, all of which were inoperable.

These patients were all chemotherapy na