Can gemcitabine plus cisplatin be used in metastatic cancer?

This paper studied the safety and effectiveness of a weekly low dose treatment with gemcitabine (Gemzar) and cisplatin (Platinol) in patients with breast cancer that is metastatic (has spread to other parts of the body). 

Gemcitabine is a chemotherapy drug that is inhibits cell growth. It can be administered on its own, but is more effective when given together with other drugs. Cisplatin is a chemotherapy drug used in metastatic breast cancer and has been used together with gemcitabine to treat metastatic breast cancer. However, the best dosage and timing when administering gemcitabine together with capecitabine is still unclear. 

294 patients with metastatic breast cancer who received  800 mg/m² of gemcitabine plus 30 mg/m² of  cisplatin were analyzed. Patients received treatment intravenously (injection into vein) on day 1 and day 8 of treatment. This treatment regime was repeated every 3 weeks. All patients had been previously heavily treated before receiving gemcitabine and cisplatin.

Patients were followed-up for an average 63.9 months. Patients stopped treatment most commonly due to worsening of disease. 5.8% of patients stopped treatment due to toxicities. The average progression free survival (time before disease worsening) was 3.9 months after starting treatment. The overall survival was 27.7 months. Patients with cancer that has spread to the brain were 1.47 times more at risk of cancer progression.  

The authors concluded that a weekly low dose treatment with gemcitabine and cisplatin is a good palliative (pain relieving or end of life) option for patients with metastatic breast cancer who have been previously treated with other drugs. 

The authors did not study the exact toxicities that patients had. 

Discuss with your doctor the possible treatment options such as gemcitabine plus cisplatin if you have metastatic breast cancer that has progressed despite previous treatment.