Phase II Study of Induction Chemotherapy with Gemcitabine plus 5-Fluorouracil Followed by Gemcitabine-Based Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Unresectable Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Abstract

Aims and background

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a new treatment approach including induction chemotherapy (CT) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC).

Patients and methods

Twenty-four patients with LAPC were enrolled in the study. They first received induction CT consisting of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) (500 mg/m²) and gemcitabine (1000 mg/m²), which were given weekly for 3 weeks of every 4. Patients showing a response or disease stabilization after 2 cycles of induction CT received CRT consisting of external beam radiotherapy (50.4-54 Gy in fractions of 1.8 Gy/day) and gemcitabine (350 mg/m², weekly for 6 weeks). Patients without disease progression received 2 additional cycles of CT consisting of 5FU plus gemcitabine with the same doses and schedule as given in the induction CT.

Results

After the end of the study, 2 (8%) and 5 (21%) patients showed complete and partial responses, respectively. Five patients (21%) had disease stabilization. The grade 3 and 4 toxicities associated with CT were neutropenia (21%) and thrombocytopenia (4%). The grade 3 and 4 toxicities occurring in patients who received CRT were neutropenia (24%), thrombocytopenia (24%), diarrhea (18%), and nausea (12%). The median progression-free survival for all patients was 6 months (95% CI, 3.6-8.4), and the median overall survival was 11 months (95% CI, 8.16-13.84).

Conclusions

The CRT approach of this study is moderately active and has an acceptable toxicity profile. However, the incor-poration of combination CT into CRT at the present schedule could not produce any additional benefit over CRT alone. Newer agents with more systemic activity are clearly warranted.