New Treatment for Inoperable Gastro-Oesophageal and Pancreatic Cancers
Author Information
Author(s): Slater S, Shamash J, Wilson P, Gallagher C J, Slevin M L
Primary Institution: St Bartholomew's Hospital
Hypothesis
Can a combination of irinotecan, cisplatin, and mitomycin improve treatment outcomes for inoperable gastro-oesophageal and pancreatic cancers?
Conclusion
The combination of irinotecan, mitomycin, and cisplatin shows promise in treating inoperable gastro-oesophageal and pancreatic cancers, with a response rate of 42% and median survival times of 9.5 months and 8 months, respectively.
Supporting Evidence
- 42% of patients with gastro-oesophageal cancer showed a response to the treatment.
- Median survival for gastro-oesophageal cancer patients was 9.5 months.
- 42% of patients with pancreatic cancer also responded to the treatment.
- Median survival for pancreatic cancer patients was 8 months.
- Five treatment-related deaths occurred during the study.
Takeaway
Doctors tested a new mix of three cancer drugs on patients who couldn't have surgery, and it helped many of them live longer.
Methodology
Patients with inoperable cancer were treated with a combination of irinotecan, cisplatin, and mitomycin, and their responses were evaluated after six cycles of treatment.
Potential Biases
The study may have bias due to the limited number of patients and the high drop-off rate from treatment.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and a high rate of non-evaluable patients due to toxicity.
Participant Demographics
Patients included 31 with gastro-oesophageal cancer and 14 with pancreatic cancer, with varying performance statuses.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0018
Confidence Interval
95% c.i. 6.7, 15.2 for gastro-oesophageal cancer; 95% c.i. 2.9, 24.7 for pancreatic cancer
Statistical Significance
p=0.0018
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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