Comparative Study of the Toxicity Profile in Gallbladder Cancer patients receiving Gemcitabine-Cisplatin versus Paclitaxel-Cisplatin Combination Chemotherapy

Gemcitabine-Cisplatin combination chemotherapy regimen is the standard treatment for advanced gallbladder cancer (GBC); however, the Paclitaxel-Cisplatin regimen is rarely preferred. Limited clinical studies have reported the hematological and nephrotoxic effects of Gemcitabine versus Paclitaxel based chemotherapy in combination with Cisplatin.

A total of 55 patients with GBC participated in this prospective observational study. All patients had cytologically confirmed gallbladder cancer. The patients were divided into two study groups, i.e. Group A (n=32) patients received Gemcitabine-Cisplatin and in Group B (n=23) patients received Paclitaxel-Cisplatin based chemotherapy regimen. All the patients of both groups were examined for their hematological and renal parameters up to the fourth cycle of chemotherapy.

Significant changes observed in hematological, renal parameters as well as in malondialdehyde level (p < 0.05) from baseline, compared after fourth cycle of chemotherapy in both treatment groups. After comparison in between Group A and Group B, significant differences were observed in hematological (red blood cell, platelets and hemoglobin), renal (Urea and Creatinine) and malondialdehyde level after fourth cycle of chemotherapy (p < 0.05).

These findings indicate that, after the fourth chemotherapy cycle, the Gemcitabine-Cisplatin regimen observed with less and comparatively manageable nephrological and hematological toxicity compared to the Paclitaxel-Cisplatin regimen.