How does GEMZAR fight pancreatic cancer?
GEMZAR is a chemotherapy drug used to treat certain kinds of cancer, such as pancreatic cancer. The scientific (or generic) name for GEMZAR is gemcitabine HCl (for injection). Chemotherapy consists of treatment with one or more anticancer drugs that kill cancer cells. GEMZAR works by stopping the process that cancer cells use to divide and repair themselves, leading to cell death. 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).