RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 â–¼Gemcitabine for lung cancer JF Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin JO Drug Ther Bull FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 71 OP 72 DO 10.1136/dtb.1996.34971 VO 34 IS 9 YR 1996 UL http://dtb.bmj.com/content/34/9/71.abstract AB Relevant BNF section: 8.1.3The prognosis for most patients with lung cancer is poor. About 75% will have tumours of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) type and, at diagnosis, 4 out of 5 patients with NSCLC have either locally advanced or metastatic disease. Despite treatment, fewer than 1 in 10 of these people will be alive 5 years later. Gemcitabine (Gemzar - Lilly) has recently been licensed for the palliative treatment of adults with such late-stage cancers. It is promoted as a "new option in the management of NSCLC" with "no trade off between tumour remission and toxicity". What advantages does gemcitabine offer?