Gemcitabine
Gemzar (gemcitabine) is a chemotherapy drug used to treat mesothelioma. It shrinks tumors and improves symptoms. Often combined with other chemo drugs like cisplatin, it helps some patients live longer. A mesothelioma specialist can determine if gemcitabine is the best treatment for you.
Written by: Karen Selby, RN | Medically Reviewed By Dr. Jeffrey Velotta | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: February 11, 2025
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What Is Gemzar (Gemcitabine)?
Gemzar is the brand name for the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine, which is used to treat mesothelioma. Doctors use it to shrink tumors, slow cancer growth and lessen symptoms. It’s often used when first-line treatments, such as Alimta (pemetrexed), and other chemo regimens aren’t working as well for a patient.
Key Facts About Gemcitabine
- Gemzar is Eli Lilly and Company’s brand name for gemcitabine, also known as gemcitabine hydrochloride.
- Its generic formulation is called Infugem.
- Similar to other chemo drugs, gemcitabine is given via an IV.
- Common side effects include fatigue, nausea and low blood counts.
The generic version of gemcitabine, Infugem, isn’t yet FDA-approved specifically for mesothelioma treatment. Currently Infugem is approved to treat other cancers like non-small cell lung cancer and ovarian cancer.
How Does Gemcitabine Treat Mesothelioma?
Gemzar (gemcitabine) stops cancer cells from making copies of their DNA. This prevents tumor growth. Doctors have long studied and used gemcitabine for people with mesothelioma.
It can be used alone or with platinum drugs. Studies show it’s particularly effective when combined with other drugs. When paired with the chemo drug cisplatin, for example, it can reduce tumors by 30%.
Gemcitabine Used With Other Chemotherapy Drugs
When used in combination with other chemo drugs, gemcitabine has shown promising results. Chemo regimens pairing Gemzar with other drugs can improve how well people respond to treatment.
Common Chemo Drugs Used With Gemzar
- Carboplatin: Alternative to cisplatin with fewer side effects
- Alimta (pemetrexed): A standard mesothelioma chemotherapy drug
- Avastin (bevacizumab): Sometimes added to chemotherapy for improved outcomes
- Ramucirumab: This new combination shows better survival in early clinical trials
These combinations give people with mesothelioma more treatment options. Each one helps gemcitabine work better. This can potentially help people live longer.
What to Expect During Treatment
Treatment with Gemzar takes a few hours and can be done as an outpatient in a doctor’s office, clinic or hospital. The drug is given via IV over the course of 30 minutes.
Your dose will be based on your body size. Your doctor will calculate the right amount for you.
The most common schedule is 1 time per week for 3 weeks and then 1 week off. You’ll typically take your medicine on days 1, 8 and 15 of a 4-week cycle. Your doctor will monitor your blood cell count regularly to manage risks like anemia or infection.
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What Are the Benefits of Gemzar for Mesothelioma?
Gemzar provides several benefits for mesothelioma patients such as shrinking tumors, managing symptoms and improving survival. Gemcitabine is a valuable option for boosting outcomes.
Primary Benefits of Gemcitabine
- Helping people live longer
- Offering a second-line treatment option when first-line therapies fail
- Reducing fluid buildup in the lungs and abdomen, improving breathing and comfort
- Shrinking tumors and slowing disease progression
Gemcitabine is an important part of mesothelioma treatment. It’s especially helpful for people looking for other options when regular treatments don’t work for them. While chemo can help, it may also harm healthy cells, causing side effects.
What Are the Side Effects of Gemcitabine for Mesothelioma Patients?
The most common side effects of gemcitabine are nausea and flu-like symptoms. Gemzar may also increase your risk of infection because chemo drugs can harm your immune system. You may need to avoid people who might be sick while undergoing treatment.
Talk to your doctor about ways to manage side effects, like medicine or making lifestyle changes. Staying in touch with your health care team can make chemotherapy easier, reducing or even preventing discomfort.
Tips for Managing Gemzar Side Effects
- Fatigue: Get plenty of rest, eat healthy foods and do light exercise if you can to feel more energetic.
- Nausea and vomiting: Eat small meals throughout the day, drink plenty of water and ask your doctor about medicine for nausea.
- Low blood counts: Avoid crowded places to reduce your risk of getting sick and tell your doctor right away if you have a fever.
- Flu-like symptoms: Wear warm clothes, drink water and ask your doctor about taking medicine for fever and aches.
Some people tolerate chemo well. Kevin Hession, a pleural mesothelioma survivor, discussed his chemo experience with us sharing, “I’ve never had a bad experience with chemo. I take a steroid that gives me 48 hours of protection from nausea, and it works like a charm. My worst case on a scale of 1 to 10 has probably been a 3.”
Gemcitabine Research and Clinical Trials
Ongoing clinical trials continue to explore gemcitabine’s effectiveness in treating mesothelioma. Researchers are working to identify ways to enhance how well the drug works while reducing side effects.
Many studies are testing whether combining Gemzar with other treatments works better. A 2024 study showed the drug with ramucirumab helps people live longer and have fewer risks compared to gemcitabine with a placebo. This study included people whose cancer kept growing after other treatments.
Areas of Focus for Gemcitabine Trials
- Alternative dosing schedules to reduce toxicity
- New chemotherapy combinations involving gemcitabine
- The impact of combining gemcitabine with immunotherapy
Previous studies tested different ways to give treatment, like longer, lower doses. One method used a 6-hour dose, which was more effective than the usual 30-minute infusion.
If you’re interested in clinical trials, speak with your mesothelioma doctor to see if you’re eligible. Participating in research studies may provide you with access to new therapies that aren’t widely available yet.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gemcitabine
- How long does Gemzar treatment last?
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Treatment duration varies, but most mesothelioma patients receive gemcitabine for several months. This depends on tumor response and side effects.
- What are the risks of combining Gemzar with other chemotherapy drugs?
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Chemo combinations can increase effectiveness but may also raise the risk of severe side effects, such as low blood counts or kidney strain.
- Who is eligible for Gemzar?
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Depending on your overall health and treatment goals, if first-line treatments haven’t been successful for you, your doctor may prescribe gemcitabine.
