ABSTRACT
Purpose:To evaluate the clinical efficacy ,clinical-benefit-response (CBR) and toxicity of gemcitabine single-agent in the treatment of elderly advanced cancer. Methods:54 elderly patients with grade Ⅲ/Ⅳ were treaded with gemcitabine 1 000 mg/m~(2) on day 1,8 and 15 in each 28-day cycle. The clinical efficacy and toxicity were estimated according to the standard of WHO and the CBR was evaluated simultaneously. Results:Of 32 advanced NSCLC patients , obtained the partial response (PR) of 21.88% .The CBR rate of 90.7% was reached in 54 patients. The toxicity was mild and well tolerated for elderly patients. Conclusions:Gemcitabine single-agent in the treatment of elderly advanced cancer is highly effective, low toxic and safe. Therefore, it could be considered as first line therapy for elderly advanced cancer.