Published in:
01-02-2006
A Multi-Institutional Phase II Trial of Preoperative Full-Dose Gemcitabine and Concurrent Radiation for Patients With Potentially Resectable Pancreatic Carcinoma
Authors:
Mark S. Talamonti, MD, William Small Jr., MD, Mary F. Mulcahy, MD, Jeffrey D. Wayne, MD, Vikram Attaluri, MD, Lisa M. Colletti, MD, Mark M. Zalupski, MD, John P. Hoffman, MD, Gary M. Freedman, MD, Timothy J. Kinsella, MD, Philip A. Philip, MD, Cornelius J. McGinn, MD
Published in:
Annals of Surgical Oncology
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Issue 2/2006
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Abstract
Background
We report the results of a multi-institutional phase II trial that used preoperative full-dose gemcitabine and radiotherapy for patients with potentially resectable pancreatic carcinoma.
Methods
Patients were treated before surgery with three cycles of full-dose gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2 intravenously), with radiation during the second cycle (36 Gy in daily 2.4-Gy fractions). Patients underwent surgery 4 to 6 weeks after the last gemcitabine infusion.
Results
There were 10 men and 10 women, with a median age of 58 years (range, 50–80 years). Nineteen patients (95%) completed therapy without interruption, and one experienced grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicity. The mean weight loss after therapy was 4.0%. Of 20 patients taken to surgery, 17 (85%) underwent resections (16 pancreaticoduodenectomies and 1 distal pancreatectomy). The complication rate was 24%, with an average length of stay of 13.5 days. There were no operative deaths. Pathologic analysis revealed clear margins in 16 (94%) of 17 and uninvolved lymph nodes in 11 (65%) of 17 specimens. One specimen contained no residual tumor, and three specimens revealed only microscopic foci of residual disease. With a median follow-up of 18 months, 7 (41%) of the 17 patients with resected disease are alive with no recurrence, 3 (18%) are alive with distant metastases, and 7 (41%) have died.
Conclusions
Preoperative gemcitabine/radiotherapy is well tolerated and safe when delivered in a multi-institutional setting. This protocol had a high rate of subsequent resection, with acceptable morbidity. The high rate of negative margins and uninvolved nodes suggests a significant tumor response. Preliminary survival data are encouraging. This regimen should be considered in future neoadjuvant trials for pancreatic cancer.