Gemcitabine

The cytostatic effect of gemcitabine is based on the fact that instead of the human nucleoside cytidine, the active form of gemcitabine, gemcitabine triphosphate, is incorporated into the DNA(antimetabolite). The DNA synthesis is interrupted, which leads to cell death.

Primarily as a cytostatic drug in the chemotherapy of bladder carcinomas, bronchial carcinomas, breast carcinomas, ovarian carcinomas and pancreatic carcinomas. In dermatology, phase II studies with gemcitabine have been conducted for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma .

Integument: Dermatologically relevant are severe drug reactions, radiation recall dermatitis, eczema, ulcerations, effluvium, pruritus. Furthermore, scleroderma-like skin changes in the face and extremities have been described. These changes are reversible after discontinuation of the therapy.

Extracutaneous manifestations: Very frequent: sweating, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anaemia, dyspnoea, gastrointestinal side effects, increased transaminases and alkaline phosphatase, proteinuria, haematuria, oedema, flu-like symptoms. Common: fever, neutropenia, loss of appetite, headache, fatigue. Occasionally: pulmonary oedema, bronchospasm, interstitial pneumonitis.

Gemzar®

• Marchi E et al (2005) Gemcitabine as frontline treatment for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: phase II study of 32 patients. Cancer 104: 2437-2441
• Ohashi K et al (2006) Successful treatment of a patient with gastric and duodenal metastases from large cell carcinoma of the lung with carboplatin and gemcitabine. Anticancer Res 26: 4695-4696