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Cancer Drug Information

  • Posted: 10/05/2006
  • Updated: 10/26/2011

Gemcitabine Hydrochloride

listen 1  (jem-SY-tuh-been HY-droh-KLOR-ide)

This page contains brief information about gemcitabine hydrochloride and a collection of links to more information about the use of this drug, research results, and ongoing clinical trials.

US Brand Name(s): Gemzar
FDA Approved: Yes

FDA Approval for Gemcitabine Hydrochloride 2

Use in Cancer

Gemcitabine hydrochloride is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:

Gemcitabine hydrochloride is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

More About Gemcitabine Hydrochloride

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary 3 - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

MedlinePlus Information on Gemcitabine Hydrochloride 4 - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

  • warnings about this drug,
  • what this drug is used for and how it is used,
  • what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
  • what you should know about this drug before using it,
  • other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
  • possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

Research Results

Clinical Trial Results: Chemotherapy Regimen Extends Survival in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Patients 5 - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Cisplatin Plus Gemcitabine Improves Survival of Patients with Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer 6 - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Treatment Regimen Extends Survival for Women with Cervical Cancer 7 - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Gemcitabine after Pancreatic Cancer Surgery Improves Survival 8 - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trials Accepting Patients

Find Clinical Trials for Gemcitabine Hydrochloride 9 - Check for trials from NCI's list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients.

Important: The drug information on this page is meant to be educational. It is not a substitute for medical advice. The information may not cover all possible uses, actions, interactions, or side effects of this drug, or precautions to be taken while using it. Please see your health care professional for more information about your specific medical condition and the use of this drug.


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Glossary Terms

advanced cancer (ad-VANST KAN-ser)
Cancer that has spread to other places in the body and usually cannot be cured or controlled with treatment.
breast cancer (brest KAN-ser)
Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.
cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.
chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.
drug (drug)
Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Also refers to a substance that alters mood or body function, or that can be habit-forming or addictive, especially a narcotic.
metastasize (meh-TAS-tuh-size)
To spread from one part of the body to another. When cancer cells metastasize and form secondary tumors, the cells in the metastatic tumor are like those in the original (primary) tumor.
non-small cell lung cancer (... sel lung KAN-ser)
A group of lung cancers that are named for the kinds of cells found in the cancer and how the cells look under a microscope. The three main types of non-small cell lung cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common kind of lung cancer.
ovarian cancer (oh-VAYR-ee-un KAN-ser)
Cancer that forms in tissues of the ovary (one of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed). Most ovarian cancers are either ovarian epithelial carcinomas (cancer that begins in the cells on the surface of the ovary) or malignant germ cell tumors (cancer that begins in egg cells).
pancreatic cancer (PAN-kree-A-tik KAN-ser)
A disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the tissues of the pancreas. Also called exocrine cancer.
surgery (SER-juh-ree)
A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.

Table of Links

1http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Media/CDR/Media/718455.mp3
2http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/fda-gemcitabine-hydrochloride
3http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/drugdictionary.aspx?CdrID=41213
4http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a696019.html
5http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/summary/2011/pancreatic-chemo0611
6http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/biliarytract0510
7http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/gemcitabine_cervical0609
8http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/gemcitabine-pancreatic0608
9http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=41213&idtype=1
10http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/alphalist
11http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/drug-page-index
12http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/learningabout/approval-process-for-cancer-
drugs
13http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/investigational-drug-access