Basic Information on Gemcitabine

• Gemcitabine is also called Gemzar

• Has been used successfully with pancreas and non-small cell lung cancer

• Is an antimetabolite

Basic Information on Docetaxel  

• Docetaxel is also called Taxotere

• Used for breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer

• Is an antineoplastic

Research Results: Ewing's Sarcoma  

• 2002 poster on gemcitabine and docetaxel in sarcoma; Ewing's sarcoma had a 1/1 response. (University of Michigan Cancer Center)

Research Results: non-Ewing's Sarcoma  

• 2000 summary of trial in Israel, stating that gemcitabine was effective in achieving stabilization of sarcomas resistant to standard chemotherapies; 8/18 partial, minimal or stable sarcomas.  (No Ewing's on study)

• 1999 abstract on gemcitabine for advanced soft tissue sarcomas; the dosage might have been too low for response

Current and Closed Clinical Trials  

• Gemcitabine and docetaxel Phase 2 trial at MSK in New York City (another description) (for adults); Ewing's sarcoma is not allowed

• Gemcitabine and docetaxel Phase 1 trial  in New Hampshire. The PI was at MSK.  The cycles is 2 weeks long; it is a dose-escalation study of docetaxel (for adults)