胃液对膀胱癌细胞系Bcl-2/Bax表达的影响

 目的　为了探讨胃液诱导膀胱癌细胞系细胞凋亡的机制。方法　采用流式细胞术及免疫组化方法观察了胃液对膀胱癌细胞系BIU-87细胞凋亡及Bcl-2/Bax表达的影响。结果　显示胃液处理后AI值升高,Bcl-2表达降低,Bax表达升高,Bcl-2/Bax比值为0.71。结论　提示胃液诱导BIU-87细胞凋亡可能是通过降低Bcl-2,升高Bax而实现的。     

Survivin在胃癌组织中的表达及其与Bcl-2、Bax表达的关系

目的: 探讨Survivin在胃癌组织中的表达及其与Bcl2、Bax表达的关系,并讨论它们相关的临床意义。 方法：选择临床及病理资料完整的中国医科大学附属盛京医院2005-2007年手术切除并经病理证实为胃腺癌术前均未行化放疗的蜡块标本54例,另取良性胃黏膜组织15例。应用免疫组化SP法检测54例胃癌组织中Survivin、Bcl2、Bax的表达,并检测15例正常胃黏膜组织中Survivin的表达。 结果：54 例胃癌组织中有39例Survivin 表达阳性,阳性率为72.2%;15例正常胃黏膜组织中无Survivin 阳性表达。 Survivin的表达与胃癌的浸润深度、淋巴结转移和TNM分期密切相关（P<0.05或P<0.01),而与患者的性别、年龄、肿瘤大小、远隔转移及分化程度无相关性。Bcl2阳性表达者中Survivin阳性表达率为81.8%,Bcl2阴性表达者中Survivin阳性表达率为57.1%,Survivin与Bcl2的表达呈正相关（P<0.01);而Survivin与Bax的表达无明显相关性。结论：胃癌组织中Survivin的表达与肿瘤的浸润深度、淋巴结转移和临床分期密切相关;Bcl2的表达呈正相关,而与Bax的表达无明显相关性     

Role of Bcl-2 family of proteins in malignancy

B cell lymphoma gene-2 (Bcl-2) is the prototypic member of a growing family of proteins that play evolutionarily conserved, key regulatory roles in apoptosis. The Bcl-2 family members are characterized by the presence of one or more Bcl-2 homology domains and are comprised of both the prosurvival and proapoptotic proteins. Bcl-2 itself is a prosurvival member of the family and its aberrant expression has been linked to a variety of different cancers, including several hematological malignancies. Although the exact mechanism of action of Bcl-2 family of proteins in regulating apoptosis is still a matter of some debate, these proteins appear to act upstream of caspase activation. Many recent studies have shown the therapeutic potential of targeting Bcl-2 family members for the treatment of cancer. This article summarizes what is currently known about Bcl-2-like proteins and how the evolving understanding of the biology of these proteins is paving way for the development of novel cancer therapeutics.     

Bcl-2、Bax在乳腺癌中的表达及其与预后的关系

目的检测浸润性乳腺癌组织中Bcl-2及Bax的表达,探讨乳腺癌的发生发展过程中凋亡调控因子的作用,进一步明确这些指标与乳腺癌的临床病理和预后的关系,并与乳腺癌常用的检测指标ER、PR进行比较分析,为乳腺癌的临床治疗和预后判断提供更好的理论依据。方法用免疫组化方法检测60例手术切除的乳腺癌组织中Bcl-2、Bax、ER及PR的表达,研究其与临床病理特征的关系以及对预后的影响。结果①乳腺癌组织中Bcl-2及Bax的阳性表达率分别为51．7％、55．0％。②Bcl-2与组织学分级呈显著负相关（x^2=9．6774,P=0．0097）,与淋巴结转移呈负相关（,=4．423l,P=0．0355）。而且在转移淋巴结个数为l～3个和〉／4个之间Bcl-2的表达有差异（x^2=5．1074,P=0．0238）．③随着组织学分级的提高,Bax的阳性表达率逐渐增高,各组间差异显著（P=0．0149）;淋巴结转移组癌组织中Bax的阳性表达率明显高于无淋巴结转移组（P=0．0446）。④Bax阴性表达病人的生存期明显长于阳性表达病人（p=0.0063,P=0．0009）,而Bcl-2的阳性表达病人的生存期却明显长于阴性表达病人（P=0．0049）,Bcl-2／Bax〉1组病人的生存期优于Bcl-2／Bax≤1组（B=0．0488）。③Bcl-2与Bax呈负相关,Bel-2与ER、PR呈正相关,Bcl-2／Bax比值与Eli呈正相关,Bax与Eli、PR之间均不具有相关性。结论Bcl-2的高表达与分化程度较低、无淋巴结转移或转移个数少以及较长的生存期有关,与Eli、PR呈明显正相关,是预后好的因素之一。Bax的表达与组织学分级、淋巴结转移以及预后呈负相关,Bax的高表达促进了乳腺癌的发生发展。乳腺癌组织中Bcl-2基因的高表达及Bax基因的低表达使Bcl-2／Bax比值高者恶性程度低,淋巴结转移少,ER的阳性率高,生存期长,低凋亡易感性与好的生物学行为和预后有关。bcl-2与bax呈明显负相关,bcl-2、bax共同作用,在乳腺癌的发生、发展及预后中起一定作用。     

甲状腺癌组织中凋亡相关蛋白Fas,FasL,Bcl-2和Bax的表达及意义

目的 研究凋亡相关蛋白Fas,FasL,Bcl-2和Bax在甲状腺癌组织中的表达及意义.方法应用免疫组织化学,采用TUMEL法,检测34例甲状腺癌及10例结节性甲状腺肿、9例甲状腺腺瘤组织病理标本中的细胞凋亡指数(Apoptosis Index, AI);并用通用型二步法对凋亡相关蛋白Fas,FasL,Bcl-2和Bax的表达进行检测.结果 (1)对照组细胞平均AI(%)为12.39±2.21,甲状腺癌细胞平均AI(%)为20.17±2.68,即肿瘤组的细胞凋亡指数高于对照组,二者有显著性差异(t＝4.138＞t(0.05),P＜0.05).(2)甲状腺癌组织中Fas,FasL,Bcl-2和Bax蛋白表达显著高于对照组.(3)Fas,FasL,Bcl-2和Bax蛋白表达的阳性率与其病理类型、临床分期无明显关系(P＞0.05).结论甲状腺癌组织中有较高水平细胞凋亡,Fas,FasL,Bcl-2和Bax的表达均明显增强,并且通过参与调节细胞凋亡而与甲状腺癌的发生有关,但与病理类型、临床分期无明显关系.     

Resistance of colon cancer cells to long-term 5-fluorouracil exposure is correlated to the relative level of Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L) in addition to Bax and p53 status

Defects in apoptosis have been implicated in chemoresistance of colon cancer cells. We report here the ability to resist to 5-fluorouracil-induced apoptosis of 8 colon cancer cell lines differing in p53 and bax status: p53(-/0)bax(+/+) for TC7, SW480, HT-29; p53(+/+)bax(-/-) for LS174T, LoVo; p53(+/+) bax(+/-) for HCT116; p53(+/+) or p53(+/0)bax(+/+) for LS513 or HCT-EB, respectively. To approximate to the in vivo therapy, the cell lines were exposed to a long-term treatment of 5-FU. The analysis of proteins implicated in the apoptotic pathway has shown that the independent analysis of p53 or bax status was not sufficient to predict the extent of drug-resistance of all cell lines. In p53(+/+) cell lines but not in p53(-/0) cell lines, a low level of the pro-apoptotic Bax protein was correlated with a greater resistance of cells to 5-FU. In addition, we found that high levels of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) proteins combined with a low level of Bax were correlated to high 5-FU resistance of wild-type p53 cell lines. The same correlation was obtained for 2 out of 3 mutated p53 cell lines. In conclusion, the relative levels of Bcl-2, Bcl-x(L) and Bax may altogether contribute to determine the resistance of a majority of colon tumor cells to long-term 5-FU treatment, whatever their p53 status.     

Bcl2和Bax在非小细胞肺癌中的表达

[目的]探讨Bcl-2和Bax在非小细胞肺癌及正常肺组织中的表达和相互关系及其意义。[方法]选取大连市第五人民医院1999年－2001年36例非小细胞肺癌患者术后的石蜡包埋档。另选大连医科大学CRC（中日病理中心）尸检的正常肺组织，应用免疫组织化学的方法（SP法）分别检测Bcl-2和Bax蛋白在非小细胞肺癌和正常肺组织中表达的情况。[结果]Bcl-2在非小细胞肺癌和正常肺组织中的表达阳性率分别为61%和25%，Bax在两者中的表达分别为33％和67％，两者均有显著性差异。Bcl-2蛋白表达随分化和蔼降低而降低，随分期增高而下降。而Bax蛋白阳性率随分化程度降低而升高，随分期增高而增高，Bcl-2和Bax与非小细胞肺癌患者的细胞学类型、肿瘤大小、淋巴结转移等均无显著相关。在非小细胞肺癌中，两者表达呈显著负相关（P＜0.05)。[结论]在非小细胞肺癌中Bcl-2过度表达与肿瘤的分化程度、pT-NM分期有关，而与细胞学类型、肿瘤大小和淋巴结转移无关。Bax与上述临床因素均无明显相关。但两者表达呈显著的负相关。Bcl-2过度表达可抑制细胞凋亡，Bax可提高凋亡的敏感性，两者的比率决定了在凋亡刺激下细胞是否进入凋亡。     

Bcl-2,Bax在乳腺癌中表达的临床意义

目的　探讨Bcl 2 ,Bax在乳腺癌中表达的临床意义。方法　免疫组化链霉菌素 生物素 (S P)法对术前未使用过化疗、放疗及免疫治疗的乳腺癌 82例 (其中有腋窝淋巴结转移的 61例 ) ,15例乳腺良性肿瘤和 15例正常乳腺组织作对照 ,检测Bcl 2 ,Bax的表达情况。结果　Bcl 2在癌组织中的表达 ( 5 6 10 % )与正常乳腺组织 ( 3 3 3 3 % )和良性肿瘤 ( 4 0 0 0 % )中的表达无统计学差异 ,在不同种类、不同分级的浸润性导管癌中无明显差异 (P >0 0 5 ) ,在有转移 ( 4 7 5 4% )和无转移组 ( 80 95 % )中有明显差异 (P <0 0 1)。Bax在癌组织中的 ( 60 98% )表达与正常乳腺组织 ( 73 3 3 % )和良性肿瘤中 ( 60 0 0 % )的表达无统计学差异 ,在不同种类癌中无明显差异 (P>0 0 5 ) ,在不同分级的浸润性导管癌中有显著差异 (P <0 0 5 ) ,在有转移 ( 67 2 1% )和无转移组 ( 4 2 86% )中有显著差异 (P <0 0 5 )。两者在乳腺癌中的表达有相关 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　检测乳腺癌Bcl 2 ,Bax基因的表达情况 ,有助于预测乳腺癌患者的淋巴结转移情况及预后     

微囊藻毒素-LR亚慢性染毒对Bcl-2和Bax表达的影响(英文)

Objective:We explored the role and molecular mechanism of Microcystin-LR(MC-LR) in hepatocarcinogenesis.Methods:The two-stage-medium-term theory was applied to the establishment of the animal model.The promoting effect of MC-LR on liver tumor was evaluated with the Albert γ-GT methods.During the tumor-promoting course,the effects of MC-LR on the regulation and expression of the Bcl-2 and Bax genes were studied with immunohistochemical technique and RT-PCR.Results:MCLR could enhance the positive reaction of ...     

Bcl-2，P53，C-erbB-2蛋白在肺癌的表达及意义

目的　探讨肺癌中Bcl 2 ,P53 ,C erbB 2蛋白的表达及其在肺癌发生、转移、预后中的意义。方法　采用免疫组化LSAB法检测 76例肺癌中Bcl 2 ,P53 ,C erbB 2蛋白的表达情况。结果　小细胞癌 (sclc)Bcl 2蛋白阳性率 ( 60 .0 % )明显高于腺癌 ( 16.0 % ,P <0 .0 5 )。高分化鳞癌P53 阳性率 ( 3 0 .8% )明显低于低分化鳞癌 ( 73 .8% ,P <0 .0 5 )。高分化腺癌P53 阳性率 ( 3 0 .0 % )明显低于低分化腺癌 ( 87.5 % ,P <0 .0 5 ) ,淋巴结有转移组P53 表达较无转移组高 (P <0 .0 5 )。腺癌C erbB 2阳性率 ( 5 2 .0 % )明显高于小细胞癌 ( 10 .0 % ,P <0 .0 5 )。高分化腺癌C erbB 2阳性率 ( 2 2 .2 % )明显低于低分化腺癌 ( 75 .0 % ,P <0 .0 1)。Bcl 2和P53 蛋白表达有相关性 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　Bcl 2蛋白表达与肺癌的组织学类型有关 ,组织分化越好 ,Bcl 2表达率越高。P53 基因改变不但与肺癌发生有关 ,而且与肺癌淋巴结转移和病程进展有关。C erbB 2基因改变与sclc关系不大 ,但与肺腺癌关系很密切。Bcl 2与P53 表达有相关性     

黄芪对肺腺癌细胞凋亡及Bcl-2、Bax表达的影响

目的：探讨中药提取物黄芪（Astragalus）对人肺腺癌（lung adenocarcinoma）细胞系SPC-A-1的凋亡诱导作用及其发生机制。方法：体外培养SPC-A-1细胞,用不同浓度黄芪对体外培养的SPC-A-1细胞进行干预。分别采用MTT、免疫细胞化学染色、流式细胞仪法检测其对SPC-A-1细胞的增殖抑制和凋亡诱导作用;并对凋亡相关Bcl-2与Bax蛋白表达的变化进行定性检测。结果：经不同浓度黄芪处理后的SPC-A-1细胞,其生长受到明显的抑制,细胞凋亡指数随药物浓度增加而明显增加;黄芪作用Bax表达明显高于对照组。结论：一定浓度的黄芪能抑制SPC-A-1细胞的增殖,促进其凋亡;其机制可能与调控Bcl-2、Bax表达有关。     

Progesterone Receptor,Bcl-2 and Bax Expression in Meningiomas

Meningiomas are generally benign central nervous system neoplasms, which frequently express progesterone receptor (PR) and only rarely express the estrogen receptor (ER). For breast cancer, a relation between steroid hormone receptors and proteins involved in the apoptotic process has been described. For meningiomas, the exact relation between PR and these proteins is not known. In this study, ER, PR, bcl-2 and bcl-2-associated × protein (Bax) expression levels were determined in meningioma cytosols. As a reference for our experimental conditions, we also determined these proteins in breast cancer cytosols.PR and ER were determined with a ligand-binding assay and scatchard-plot analysis. The expression levels of the anti- and pro-apoptotic proteins, bcl-2 and Bax, respectively, were determined by immunoblotting.In 65% of the meningioma, bcl-2 expression was found in variable amounts. In contrast to breast cancer, a significant negative association between PR and bcl-2 was found (P < 0.01). Bax expression appeared nobreak constitutive, not related to PR, and 2.6 times higher than breast cancer.As both PR and bcl-2 appear positively associated with prognosis, the negative relationship between bcl-2 and PR found in this study might have some biological and clinical significance.     

葡多酚对骨髓细胞Bcl-2和Bax表达的影响

背景与目的:研究葡多酚(GPC)对辐射损伤诱发的小鼠骨髓细胞Bcl-2和Bax异常表达的影响作用.材料与方法:将经口灌胃给予不同剂量GPC的小鼠用射线进行全身性亚急性照射,取骨髓细胞用免疫组织化学方法检测各组Bcl-2和Bax表达.结果:辐射对照组Bcl-2和Bax阳性表达率分别为10.02%和20.88%,高剂量GPC保护组则分别为18.28%和16.14%,两组间差别均具有统计学意义.结论:GPC可有效抑制辐射损伤引发的Bcl-2和Bax异常表达.     

Survivin在胃癌组织中的表达及其与Bcl-2、Bax表达的关系

目的:探讨Survivin在胃癌组织中的表达及其与Bcl-2、Bax表达的关系,并讨论它们相关的临床意义. 方法:选择临床及病理资料完整的中国医科大学附属盛京医院2005-2007年手术切除并经病理证实为胃腺癌术前均未行化放疗的蜡块标本54例,另取良性胃黏膜组织15例.应用免疫组化S-P法检测54例胃癌组织中Survivin、Bcl-2、Bax的表达,并检测15例正常胃黏膜组织中Survivin的表达. 结果:54 例胃癌组织中有39例Survivin 表达阳性,阳性率为72.2%;15例正常胃黏膜组织中无Survivin 阳性表达. Survivin的表达与胃癌的浸润深度、淋巴结转移和TNM分期密切相关(P<0.05或P<0.01),而与患者的性别、年龄、肿瘤大小、远隔转移及分化程度无相关性.Bcl-2阳性表达者中Survivin阳性表达率为81.8%,Bcl-2阴性表达者中Survivin阳性表达率为57.1%,Survivin与Bcl-2的表达呈正相关(P<0.01);而Survivin与Bax的表达无明显相关性. 结论:胃癌组织中Survivin的表达与肿瘤的浸润深度、淋巴结转移和临床分期密切相关;Bcl-2的表达呈正相关,而与Bax的表达无明显相关性.     

Induction of apoptosis and chemosensitization of mesothelioma cells by Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL antisense treatment

Our study was designed to investigate the role of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL in the chemoresistance of cells derived from malignant pleural mesothelioma. First, we determined the basal expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL in mesothelioma cells and examined the effect of their downregulation by antisense oligonucleotides. Bcl-xL mRNA and protein could be readily detected in mesothelioma cell lines, whereas only low levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein were found. Preferential downregulation of either Bcl-xL alone or of Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 simultaneously was achieved by treatment with antisense oligonucleotides 4259 and 4625, respectively, whereas the expression of other apoptosis-relevant genes remained unaffected. Treatment with oligonucleotides 4259 or 4625 lowered the apoptosis threshold in ZL34 mesothelioma cells, as indicated by an increase in cell death accompanied by increased caspase-3-like activity, a decrease of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and the cleavage of procaspase-7 and ICAD. In addition to the direct induction of apoptosis, antisense treatment sensitized ZL34 cells to the cytostatic effect of cisplatin and gemcitabine, with the combination of 4625 and cisplatin being the most effective. Our results demonstrate that Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL antisense treatment facilitates apoptosis in mesothelioma cells and suggest the use of Bcl-2/Bcl-xL bispecific antisense treatment in combination with cisplatin or gemcitabine for therapy of malignant pleural mesothelioma.     

苦参碱对大肠癌细胞凋亡及Bax、Bcl-2表达的影响

[目的]探讨苦参碱对人大肠癌Lovo细胞增殖抑制和凋亡诱导作用及其对Bax、Bcl-2表达的影响。[方法]0.05~1.6mg/ml不同浓度苦参碱作用Lovo细胞,采用MTT法检测苦参碱对大肠癌Lovo细胞增殖抑制作用,DNAladder、AnnexinⅤ-PI法及TUNEL染色检测细胞凋亡,WesternBlot法检测凋亡相关蛋白Bax、Bcl-2表达的变化。[结果]0.05～1.6mg/ml苦参碱处理Lovo细胞24h或48h后,细胞增殖均明显受抑制;DNAladder、AnnexinⅤ-PI法及TUNEL染色检测结果显示苦参碱呈时间、剂量依赖性诱导细胞凋亡;促凋亡蛋白Bax随着苦参碱剂量增加表达增加,抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2随着苦参碱剂量增加表达减少。[结论]苦参碱具有抑制大肠癌细胞增殖,诱导其凋亡的作用。苦参碱诱导大肠癌细胞凋亡的机制可能与促凋亡蛋白Bax表达增加、抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2表达减少有关。     

Bcl-2/Bax比率与细胞“命运”

凋亡过程的启动直接决定了细胞的“命运”。在细胞凋亡的两个进化保守的信号转导途径中,Bcl-2家族成员的构成比例是凋亡调控的关键因素,尤其是Bcl-2/Bax比率是启动细胞凋亡的“分子开关”。Bax和Bcl-2通过形成同源或异源二聚体来调节细胞凋亡：当Bax形成同源二聚体时诱导细胞凋亡;Bax与bcl-2形成异源二聚体时则抑制细胞凋亡。当某细胞系的所有细胞内异源二聚体（Bcl-XL/Bax和Bcl2/Bax）的含量≥50%时,细胞耐受凋亡;而当细胞内Bax同源二聚体〉80%时,且在适当信号诱导下则细胞出现凋亡。细胞凋亡的数学模型认为,Bcl-2家族之促凋亡和抑凋亡成员的比率直接决定了线粒体外膜各种通道的开放程度,形成细胞凋亡调控的枢纽;故有学者认为Bcl-2/Bax比率是调控细胞死亡的“可变电阻器”（rheo-stat）,在外界因素刺激下,细胞的生死最终取决于Bc-2和Bax两种调控因子的平衡结果。目前关于前列腺癌、直肠癌、白血病、宫颈癌等的临床研究均支持这一理论。     

放射性肺损伤大鼠肺组织Bcl-2和Bax表达变化及其意义的探讨

目的:探讨凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2和Bax在放射性肺损伤大鼠肺组织中的变化及意义.方法:Wistar大鼠30只随机分为正常对照组(N)、照射组(d1、d7、d14、d28和d56),每组5只.在照射后d1、d7、d14、d28和d56获取标本,采用透射电镜、免疫组化和流式细胞等技术,观察放射性肺损伤大鼠肺组织细胞凋亡的变化及Bcl-2和Bax的表达.结果:放射性肺损伤大鼠肺上皮细胞凋亡增加,照射组Bax在上皮细胞的表达及Bcl-2在间质细胞的表达高于对照组.照射后d7、d14、d28和d56上皮细胞Bax的表达高于对照组,χ2=24.847,P＜0.01;照射后d14和d28间质细胞Bcl-2的表达高于对照组,χ2=20.930,P＜0.01.而Bcl-2在上皮细胞的表达及Bax在间质细胞的表达无明显变化(P＞0.05).表明上皮细胞的Bax/Bcl-2比值上升,而间质细胞的Bax/Bcl-2比值下降.结论:细胞凋亡及凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2和Bax的不平衡表达在放射性肺损伤的发病过程中可能起了重要作用.     

Bcl-X expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: association with tumor progression and prognosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Bcl-2 family proteins are regulators of programmed cell death and important in the development and progression of human various tumors. The role of these proteins in the development, progression and differentiation of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is unclear. METHODS: We investigated the expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-X, and Bax using immunohistochemistry in 86 ESCCs, and scored the expression by the weighted score. RESULTS: Bcl-2 expression related to pT category (P=0.043) and histological grade (P = 0.001). Bcl-X expression related to pT category (P = 0.003), pN category (P = 0.041) and the number of positive nodes (P = 0.036), and had a tendency to relate to histological grade (P = 0.086). Bax expression had a tendency to relate to pN category (P = 0.081). The inverse relationship between Bcl-2 and Bcl-X expression was detected (P = 0.001), while the positive one between Bcl-X and Bax expression was detected (P = 0.014). Patients with low Bcl-X weighted score had a significantly longer survival compared with those with high Bcl-X weighted score. Multivariate analysis revealed Bcl-X expression as the independent prognostic factors (P = 0.022). CONCLUSION: These results imply that Bcl-2 family proteins, especially Bcl-X, may contribute to the progression in ESCC.     

Salvage treatment with paclitaxel and gemcitabine for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer after cisplatin- or docetaxel-based chemotherapy: A multicenter phase II study

Background: To evaluate the tolerance and efficacy of the combination of paclitaxel and gemcitabine as salvage treatment in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Patients and methods: Forty-nine patients with measurable NSCLC (PS 0–1: 80%; stage IV: 84%) who progressed or failed first-line chemotherapy were enrolled. Prior chemotherapy was cisplatin-based with (n = 20) or without (n = 22) docetaxel and docetaxel–vinorelbine (n = 7). Patients received gemcitabine (900 mg/m2 i.v.; days 1 and 8) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m2; day 8) every three weeks; G-CSF (150 µg/m2/day s.c.; days 9–15) was given prophylactically to all patients.Results: One (2%) complete and eight (16%) partial responses were achieved (overall response 18%; 95% CI: 4%–24%); 14 patients (29%) had stable disease and 26 (53%) progressive disease. Six responses were observed in 17 patients who responded to first-line chemotherapy. The median duration of response was seven months, the median TTP eight months and the median survival 11 months. The one-year survival rate was 37%. Grade 3–4 neutropenia occured in six (12%) patients, grade 2–3 neurotoxicity in 16 (32%) and grade 2–3 asthenia in 25 (51%). Other toxicities were mild.Conclusions: The paclitaxel-gemcitabine combination is a well-tolerated and relatively active salvage regimen in patients with NSCLC and it merits further investigation.