Vitamin D Analogue Seocalcitol in Pancreatic Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Evans T R J, Colston K W, Lofts F J, Cunningham D, Anthoney D A, Gogas H, de Bono J S, Hamberg K J, Skov T, Mansi J L
Primary Institution: Beatson Oncology Centre, Glasgow
Hypothesis
Does the vitamin D analogue Seocalcitol have anti-tumour activity in patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer?
Conclusion
Seocalcitol is well tolerated in pancreatic cancer but has no objective anti-tumour activity in advanced disease.
Supporting Evidence
- No objective responses were observed in the study.
- Five of 14 patients had stable disease for a median of 168 days.
- The most frequent toxicity was dose-dependent hypercalcaemia.
Takeaway
Doctors tested a vitamin D-like medicine on patients with pancreatic cancer, but it didn't help shrink the tumors.
Methodology
A multi-centre, open, non-controlled trial with dose escalation of seocalcitol until hypercalcaemia occurred.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the non-randomized design and the small sample size of evaluable patients.
Limitations
The study was non-randomized and lacked a comparator group, making it difficult to determine the efficacy of seocalcitol.
Participant Demographics
Mean age 60.7 years, 29 males and 14 females, primarily Caucasian.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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