gemcitabine + oxaliplatin + erlotinib

A combination chemotherapy regimen consisting of gemcitabine (a nucleoside analog), oxaliplatin (a platinum-based agent), and erlotinib (an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor). This combination has been studied in clinical trials for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), biliary duct cancer (BDC), and pancreatic cancer. The combination leverages the individual mechanisms of each drug to potentially enhance therapeutic efficacy. Gemcitabine interferes with DNA synthesis, oxaliplatin forms DNA adducts preventing replication, and erlotinib blocks EGFR signaling. In clinical trials, this combination has shown promising results, particularly in HCC (disease control rate 42%) and BDC (disease control rate 86%). For pancreatic cancer, GEMOX-T has demonstrated improved response rates compared to gemcitabine plus erlotinib alone. Common dosing includes gemcitabine 1000mg/m² IV and oxaliplatin 50mg/m² IV on days 1 and 8, plus erlotinib 100mg daily, in a 3-week cycle. Grade 3 toxicities observed in >5% patients include fatigue (12.9%), neutropenia (9.6%), thrombocytopenia (9.6%), and diarrhea (6.4%). Caution is advised with warfarin-type anticoagulants due to potential fatal adverse events.

Brand names

TarcevaGemzarEloxatin

Other names

G+O+EGEMOX-T