Phase II Trial of Weekly 24-Hour Infusion of Gemcitabine in Patients with Advanced Gallbladder and Biliary Tract Carcinoma

Aims: Patients with advanced gallbladder and biliary tract carcinoma face a dismal prognosis, as no effective palliative chemotherapy exists. The antitumor effect of gemcitabine is schedule-dependent rather than dose-dependent. We evaluated the activity of a prolonged infusion of gemcitabine in advanced gallbladder and biliary tract carcinomas. Methods: Nineteen consecutive eligible patients were enrolled. All patients were required to have histologically confirmed diagnosis and measurable disease. Gemcitabine was infused over 24 hours at a dose of 100mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15. Treatment was repeated every 28 d…