Phase II trial of 150-minute weekly infusion of gemcitabine in advanced colorectal cancer: minimal activity in colorectal cancer

Metastatic colorectal cancer is very common in the Western hemisphere and c urrent treatment modalities are not effective. In this study a prolonged (1 50-minute) infusion of gemcitabine at a constant dose rate of 10 mg/m(2)/mi n administered weekly for 3 consecutive weeks repeated every 4 weeks reveal ed a response rate of 4% (90% CI < 1%-18%). There were no complete response s. Treatment with gemcitabine produced moderate to severe toxicity as grade 3-4 neutropenia requiring dose modification was seen in 40% of patients tr eated. When used in this dose and schedule, gemcitabine does not appear to be effective for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.