Gemcitabine in Previously Treated Advanced or Recurrent Cervical Cancer A Retrospective Study

Fatima Zahra Ziani, Sami Aziz Brahmi, El Mrabet Fatima Zahra, Samia Arifi, Nawfel Mellas

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common female’s cancer in Morocco. The objective of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and the toxicity of gemcitabin in previously treated advanced or recurrent cervical cancer.

Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in medical oncology department of University Hospital of Hassan II to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of gemcitabine in patients with previously treated squamous cell carcinoma of cervical cancer over a period of 5 years between 2011 and 2015.

Results: Twenty one patients were included into the study. The dose of gemcitabine was 1250 mg/m2 over 30 min weekly two with a 2-weeks rest until progressive disease or adverse effects prohibited further therapy.  There were two partial responses (9%) and no complete response was observed. Six patients had stable disease (28%). Gemcitabine had minimal serious adverse effects. No grade 4 adverse disease was observed. The median progression free survival was 2 months with median overall survival of 4.6 months.

 Conclusion:  According to our study, gemcitabine has a minimal activity in previously treated advanced cervical cancer in second line. Additional investigation is warranted to identify alternate therapy in this situation.