CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT01243632Updated Nov 18, 2010

Gemcitabine in Long Infusion and Cisplatin for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment

A Phase 2 interventional study of Prolonged 6-hr infusion of gemcitabine in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma, sponsored by Institute of Oncology Ljubljana. Completed at 1 site in Slovenia. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 85 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2010-11-18.

Sponsored by Institute of Oncology Ljubljana · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
78
Allocation
Non-randomized
Ages
18 Years to 85 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Combination of gemcitabine-cisplatin was one of the most effective chemotherapy treatment in mesothelioma patients. However, median survival of this patient group was only about 12 months. With intent to find more effective treatment the investigators performed phase II study with gemcitabine in low dose (130-250 mg/m2) in 6-hours (prolonged) infusion in combination with cisplatin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (Zwitter et al. Anticancer Drugs 2005;16:1129-34). After favourable experience, the investigators decided to explore such regiment in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) as well.

Read the detailed description

The purpose of this study is to evaluate new regimen of treatment for its activity in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The primary objectives of the trial are assessing the treatment toxicity, response rate, and progress free survival; secondary objectives are assessment of overall survival and quality of life.

Inclusion criteria:

  • Biopsy-proven diagnosis of MPM
  • Inoperable for anatomic or physiological reason
  • Measurable and previously unirradiated lesion
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) 0 - 2
  • Adequate haematopoietic, liver, and kidney function.
  • Signed informed consent for participation in the trial

Exclusion criteria:

  • Significant medical co-morbidity
  • Pregnant or lactating women
  • History of the cancer in the previous 10 years or breast cancer ever.

The general treatment schedule will be identical for all patients: gemcitabine in 6-hours infusion on days 1 and 8, and cisplatin at 75 mg/m2 on day 2 of a 3-weekly cycle with standard antiemetic treatment using metoclopramide, dexamethasone, aprepitant, and granisetron. After 4 cycles, patients not in progression and without serious toxicity continued with additional 2 cycles of monotherapy with gemcitabine in prolonged infusion.

National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI CTC), version 2.0 will be used for grading the toxicity. In the day of administration of the cytotoxic drug complete blood cell count and chemistry panel will be performed, and the treatment will be reduced or avoided in the event of bone marrow suppression or decline in renal clearance. In cases of Grade I (NCI CTC, vs. 2.0) neutropenia and/or thrombocytopenia, the dose of gemcitabine will be reduced to 75%; the drug will be omitted with Grade II or greater neutro/thrombocytopenia. Cisplatin will be omitted in cases of Grade ≥ II nephrotoxicity and/or grade III nausea or vomiting.

02

Conditions studied

  • Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Keywords

  • malignant pleural mesothelioma
  • chemotherapy
  • gemcitabine
  • cisplatin
  • long infusion
03

In context

Mesothelioma

470 studies on the registry are indexed under Mesothelioma; 75 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 78 is above the median of 40 across 371 interventional studies indexed under Mesothelioma.

Browse Mesothelioma studies →

Lead sponsor

Institute of Oncology Ljubljana is the lead sponsor of 88 studies on the registry; 28 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 85 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Biopsy-proven diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma
  • Inoperable for anatomic or physiological reason
  • Measurable and previously unirradiated lesion
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) 0 - 2
  • Adequate haematopoietic, liver, and kidney function.
  • Signed informed consent for participation in the trial

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Significant medical co-morbidity
  • Pregnant or lactating women
  • History of the cancer in the previous 10 years or breast cancer ever.
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Non-randomized
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
78 participants (actual)

Interventions

  • DrugProlonged 6-hr infusion of gemcitabine

    Gemcitabine 250 mg/m2 in prolonged 6 hr infusion on day 1 and 8, and cisplatin at 75 mg/m2 on day 2 of 3 week cycle, for 4-6 cycles

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Response rate

    Efficacy of the treatment will be measured by response rate (RR) and disease control rate (DCR) using modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria for assessment of response in malignant pleural mesothelioma

    Time frame: Computerized tomography (CT) measurement of disease will be performed after 2nd cycle of chemotherapy and at the end of the treatment

Secondary outcomes

  1. Safety and tolerability

    Safety and tolerability will be assessed by monitoring the adverse events during treatment and follow-up phase and graded according the NCI Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC), version 2.0. Participants will be followed until death or 2 to 7 years (average 4.5 years).

    Time frame: During the study

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Institute of Oncology Ljubljana
    Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
08

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Nov 18, 2010, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT01243632
Lead sponsor
Institute of Oncology Ljubljana
Collaborators
Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Solvenia
First posted
Nov 18, 2010
Start date
Dec 2002
Primary completion
Jun 2010
Completion
Jun 2010
Last update
Nov 18, 2010

Study contacts

Matjaz Zwitter, MD, PhD
study director · Institute of Oncology Ljubljana
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is completed, as verified in Nov 2010. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

Follow this study

Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.

Sign in to follow

Discussion

Questions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.

Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.

Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.

Start the discussion