A novel biweekly pancreatic cancer treatment schedule with gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid
2003

New Treatment Schedule for Pancreatic Cancer

Sample size: 42 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Correale P, Messinese S, Marsili S, Ceciarini F, Pozzessere D, Petrioli R, Sabatino M, Cerretani D, Pellegrini M, Di Palma T, Neri A, Calvanese A, Pinto E, Giorgi G, Francini G

Primary Institution: Oncology Section, Department of Human Pathology and Oncology, Siena University School of Medicine

Hypothesis

The combination of GEM plus FUFA is active in the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma.

Conclusion

The novel biweekly treatment schedule combining GEM, 5-FU, and FA showed promising antitumor activity and improved patient survival.

Supporting Evidence

  • The treatment was well tolerated with no grade IV toxicity recorded.
  • An objective response was recorded in 13 out of 42 patients.
  • The overall survival was 13.1 months with some patients alive after 42 months.

Takeaway

Doctors tested a new way to give medicine to help people with pancreatic cancer, and it seemed to work better than before.

Methodology

Patients received a combination of FA, 5-FU, and GEM in a biweekly schedule, with assessments of response and toxicity.

Limitations

The study was limited by its small sample size and the lack of a control group.

Participant Demographics

42 patients (28 males and 14 females) with an average age of 61 years.

Statistical Information

Confidence Interval

95% CI 6.88–12.62 for time to progression; 95% CI 9.64–16.56 for overall survival.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6601045

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