Treatment of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer with a Combination of Gemcitabine and 5-Fluorouracil: A Single Center Phase II Study

Abstract

Aim

To determine the activity and toxicity of a combination of weekly gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil bolus intravenously in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Patients and methods

Twenty-one patients with previously untreated metastatic pancreatic cancer were included in this phase II study. The schedule was gemcitabine (1000 mg/m² iv) and 5-fluorouracil (500 mg/m² bolus iv) weekly for 3 weeks every month.

Results

Four patients (19%) achieved a partial response and three stable disease. A clinical benefit was obtained in 7 patients (33%). Median survival for all the patients was 6 months. The treatment was well tolerated and toxicity was mild. WHO grade 3 leukopenia occurred in 2 (9.5%) patients, grade 3 anemia in 4 (19%) patients, grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia in 4 (19%) patients, grade 1 diarrhea in 1 (4.7%) patient and grade 1 mucositis in 3 (14.2%) patients.

Conclusion

The weekly administration of gemcitabine combined with 5-fluorouracil bolus iv is an active and well-tolerated regimen in metastatic pancreatic cancer. However, its efficacy is relatively limited.