Combined Modality Therapy of Gemcitabine and Radiation

Abstract

Abstract Learning Objectives After completing this course, the reader will be able to: List the advantages of combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Explain the rationale for doing in vitro research in the radiochemotherapy field. Describe the results of studies combining gemcitabine and radiotherapy. Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 hour of AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com The combination of gemcitabine and radiotherapy is a promising combined modality therapy. However, the clinical application of this combination has to be implemented carefully because of an increased toxicity to normal tissues. A body of experimental evidence shows that gemcitabine is a potent radiosensitizer in vitro and in vivo. The observations so far indicate that various mechanisms are responsible for the radiosensitizing effect. Although it is often difficult to transfer experimental data to the clinic, these studies offer the possibility to develop an improved schedule of administration for patient treatment, based on rational evidence in tumor biology. In the current review, the preclinical data that support the use of gemcitabine as a radiosensitizing agent and the clinical trials that have been conducted to date are summarized.