NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER

About Lung Cancer
Lung cancer begins in the lungs, where cells multiply at a very fast rate to form "tumors" that invade and destroy normal tissue. These cancer cells sometimes spread from the lung(s) to other parts of the body. That process is known as "metastasis."

Approximately 350,000 people in the United States are living with lung cancer at any given time.¹

Fortunately, the number of new lung cancer cases and deaths reported in recent years is going down due to less smoking, better diagnostic tools, and new treatment options. But lung cancer remains the second most common form of cancer diagnosed, and is the number one cause of cancer-related deaths in the US.¹

In the United States, 80% to 85% of those diagnosed with lung cancer have non-small cell lung cancer.¹

Two Categories of Lung Cancer
The two main types of lung cancer are non-small cell lung cancer (also known by its initials as "NSCLC") and small cell lung cancer ("SCLC").

The difference between non-small cell and small cell lung cancer has to do with the kind of cancer cells, how quickly the cancer cells grow, and how each kind of cancer cell responds to treatment.

Your Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Journey
Facing a diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer is not easy. Like any person living with cancer, you are probably facing situations you never had to deal with before. And it is understandable if you are concerned about the new journey that lies ahead. But by working together with your healthcare team — asking questions and exploring your treatment options — you can take back some control.

GEMZAR is used in combination with cisplatin (another type of chemotherapy) for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced (stage IIIA or stage IIIB) or metastatic (stage IV or cancer that has spread) non-small cell lung cancer for whom surgery is not possible.

This section explores the different types of non-small cell lung cancer. Learn how GEMZAR can help treat a specific stage of first-line non-small lung cancer* when used in combination with cisplatin, another chemotherapy drug. You can also find information about side effects, and answers to frequently asked questions.

*Locally advanced, stage IIIA or stage IIIB, or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

Reference:

The Wellness Community. Understanding Lung Cancer.
Available at: http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org/education/lung/understanding.php. Accessed March 3, 2008.

About GEMZAR

GEMZAR is indicated in combination with cisplatin (another type of chemotherapy) for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced (stage IIIA or stage IIIB) or metastatic (stage IV or cancer that has spread) non-small cell lung cancer for whom surgery is not possible.

GEMZAR is indicated in combination with carboplatin (another type of chemotherapy) for the woman with ovarian cancer that has returned at least 6 months after the patient had finished platinum-based therapy.

GEMZAR in combination with paclitaxel is approved by the FDA for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer after they have received another type of chemotherapy called an anthracycline, unless their medical condition did not allow them to receive an anthracycline.

GEMZAR is indicated as a single agent (given alone) as the first-line treatment for patients with locally advanced (stage II or stage III when surgery is not an option) or metastatic (stage IV) adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. GEMZAR is also indicated for patients previously treated with 5-FU (another type of chemotherapy).

Important Safety Information

GEMZAR may not be appropriate for some patients.

If you are allergic to GEMZAR, tell your doctor you should not receive it. GEMZAR can suppress bone marrow function. There have been rare reports of serious kidney or liver toxicity with GEMZAR treatment, sometimes fatal. Serious lung toxicity has also been reported, sometimes fatal. If you think you are pregnant, are planning to be pregnant, or are nursing, please tell your healthcare team. GEMZAR may harm your unborn or nursing baby.

If you have had prior kidney or liver problems or impairment, please tell your healthcare professional. GEMZAR may not be right for you. GEMZAR has not been shown to work in children. Tell your doctor if you are taking other medicines, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.

There is a risk of side effects associated with GEMZAR therapy. The most common side effects are low blood cell counts (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets); fever; infection; hair loss; tiredness; nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea; rash; shortness of breath; muscle aches; and numbness or tingling in your toes or fingers. These are not all of the side effects of GEMZAR. If you have any side effect that bothers you or that doesn't go away, be sure to talk with your healthcare professional. Call your healthcare professional right away if you have fever or chills. These symptoms could mean you have an infection.

You will have regular blood tests before and during your treatment with GEMZAR. Your doctor may adjust your dose of GEMZAR or delay your treatment based on the results of your blood test and on your general condition.

For more information about all of the side effects of GEMZAR, please talk with your healthcare team, see the complete Prescribing Information, or call 1-800-545-5979.

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