A phase II trial of gemcitabine plus carboplatin in advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelium

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of cisplatin-based combinations in patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma(TCC) of the urothelium. Concern over cisplatin toxicity instigated a search for alternative regimens. The aim of the study was to evaluate the activity and tolerability of gemcitabine plus carboplatin combination as first-line treatment in patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelium. METHODS: Patients with advanced TCC were treated with gemcitabine 1200 mg/m(2 )on days 1 and 8 and carboplatin area under the concentration-time curve(AUC) 5 on day 1 every 21 days. RESULTS: Out of 41 patients, thirty-nine were evaluable for efficacy and 41 for toxicity. A median of 5 cycles (range 1–6) was administered. Overall response rate was 46.2% (95% confidence interval: 32–65%) including 10.3% complete responses and 35.9% partial responses. The median time to progression and median overall survival were 7.5 months (95% confidence interval: 6.6–8.4 months) and 13.6 months (95% confidence interval: 10.2–17.0 months), respectively. Grade 3/4 neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 36.6%, 26.8, and 24.4% of patients, respectively. Non-hematological toxicity was generally mild. Grade 3 vomiting occurred in 1 (2.4%) patients. CONCLUSION: The gemcitabine plus carboplatin combination is active in advanced TCC with acceptable toxicity and needs to be evaluated further and compared with other non-cisplatin-containing regimens. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN88259320