FOLFIRINOX-based neoadjuvant therapy in borderline resectable or unresectable pancreatic cancer: a meta-analytical review of published studies

Abstract

Objective: The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy can enable surgical resection of borderline resectable or unresectable pancreatic cancer (PC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the multiagent 5-fluorouracil + oxaliplatin + irinotecan + leucovorin (FOLFIRINOX) regimen as a neoadjuvant treatment for PC.

Methods: Studies in which FOLFIRINOX with or without radiotherapy was given before surgery to patients with borderline resectable or unresectable PC were analyzed using a meta-analytical approach. The primary outcomes were resection rate and radical (R0) resection rate. Data were expressed as weighted pooled proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: Thirteen studies, with a total of 253 patients, were included in this meta-analysis. After undergoing the treatment, 43% (95% CI, 32.8-53.8) of patients were resected and 39.4% (95% CI, 32.4-46.9) underwent R0 resection (85% of surgical specimens). In particular, among borderline resectable PCs, R0 resection was possible in 63.5% (95% CI, 49%-76%) of the cases. The rate of R0 resection in unresectable PCs was 22.5% (95% CI, 13.3-35.4).

Conclusions: This meta-analysis shows that down-staging after neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX-based therapy is noticeable in patients with borderline resectable/unresectable PC, with a total R0 resection rate of 40%.