CA 19-9 Levels in Pancreatic Cancer Patients Treated with Gemcitabine
Author Information
Author(s): Ziske C, Schlie C, Gorschlüter M, Glasmacher A, Mey U, Strehl J, Sauerbruch T, Schmidt-Wolf I G H
Primary Institution: Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn, Germany
Hypothesis
Can CA 19-9 levels serve as a reliable prognostic marker for patients with inoperable pancreatic adenocarcinoma undergoing gemcitabine treatment?
Conclusion
CA 19-9 levels can be used to predict survival outcomes in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer treated with gemcitabine.
Supporting Evidence
- CA 19-9 levels were elevated in 89% of patients.
- Patients with a CA 19-9 decrease >20% after 8 weeks had a median survival of 383 days.
- Patients with stable disease showed a decrease in CA 19-9 concentrations >20%.
Takeaway
Doctors can check a blood marker called CA 19-9 to see how well treatment is working for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Methodology
The study evaluated 46 patients with inoperable pancreatic adenocarcinoma, measuring CA 19-9 levels before and during chemotherapy with gemcitabine.
Potential Biases
Potential biases in patient selection and treatment response assessment.
Limitations
The study had a limited sample size and was not prospective.
Participant Demographics
46 patients, median age 66 years, 20 females and 26 males.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.006
Confidence Interval
95% CI 442–734
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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