Neoadjuvant modified FOLFIRINOX and chemoradiation therapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer improves resectability

Abstract

Background and objectives: Though necessary for improved outcomes, surgical resection is often limited in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancers (LAPCs). We evaluated the efficacy of the approach adopted by our institution of using modified FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy followed by radiation with concurrent gemcitabine or capecitabine for patients with LAPCs, in an effort to enhance resectability while improving the toxicity profile compared with similar treatment regimens.

Methods: We included 29 consecutive patients with LAPC treated at our institution with the above approach in this review. We evaluated rates of resection, locol control, and survival outcomes in this cohort.

Results: The median follow up for this series of patients was 15.2 months. Approximately half the patients were unresectable at presentation. After neoadjuvant therapy, 41.3% of all patients were able to undergo resection of their tumors and 83% achieved an R0 resection. One-year local control for the entire cohort was 85%; one-year progression-free and overall were 49.2% and 65.5%, respectively. High rates of metastatic disease were seen regardless of resectability. There were minimal toxicities in this cohort.

Conclusions: Neoadjuvant therapy with induction modified FOLFIRINOX and chemoradiation presents a well-tolerated, promising treatment approach for patients with LAPC. High rates of metastatic disease highlight the need to optimize systemic and targeted agents for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Keywords: FOLFIRINOX; neoadjuvant therapy; pancreatic cancer.