Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2017 Aug;8(4):683-695.
doi: 10.21037/jgo.2017.04.01.

The role of induction chemotherapy + chemoradiotherapy in localised pancreatic cancer: initial experience in Scotland

Affiliations

The role of induction chemotherapy + chemoradiotherapy in localised pancreatic cancer: initial experience in Scotland

Derek Grose et al. J Gastrointest Oncol. 2017 Aug.

Abstract

Background: Despite being relatively rare pancreatic cancer is one of the highest causes of death. Even within the potentially resectable group outcomes are poor. We present our initial experiences utilising a neoadjuvant approach to localised pancreatic cancer, evaluating survival, response rates and tolerability.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database. Patients from 2012 to 2015 referred to a busy regional Hepato-Pancreatic Biliary (HPB) MDT were included. Patients were classified according to respectability criteria (utilising NCCN guidelines) and a treatment plan agreed. Systemic therapy with either FOLFIRINOX or Gem/Cap was delivered followed by chemoradiotherapy if disease remained localised. Toxicity, response, pathological outcomes and survival were all recorded.

Results: A total of 85 patients were included in the study: 45 had initially resectable disease; 19 required a response for resection and 21 had locally advanced inoperable disease; 34 patients underwent resection. The median survival for the potentially resectable group was 22.2 months while for those undergoing resection it was 37 months.

Conclusions: We have demonstrated that a neoadjuvant approach is deliverable and tolerable. In addition we have demonstrated impressive survival results in patients undergoing resection with no detriment in outcome for those not proceeding to surgery.

Keywords: Pancreatic cancer; chemoradiotherapy; chemotherapy; neoadjuvant.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Definitions of resectability: Glasgow resection criteria.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Consort diagram all patients. Multimodality treatment: lines of treatment all non-Metastatic patients.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Consort diagram surgical patients. Multimodality treatment: lines of treatment for patients when surgery was planned from the outset.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The relationship between stage (B vs. C vs. D from top to bottom) and survival in all patients (log rank P<0.001).
Figure 5
Figure 5
The relationship between stage (B vs. C from top to bottom) and survival in all patients who underwent radical resection (log rank P<0.001).

References

    1. Cancer Statistics for the UK. Available online: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics
    1. Neoptolemos JP, Stocken DD, Bassi C, et al. Adjuvant chemotherapy with fluorouracil plus folinic acid vs. gemcitabine following pancreatic cancer resection: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2010;304:1073-81. 10.1001/jama.2010.1275 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Jamieson NB, Chan NI, Foulis AK, et al. The prognostic influence of resection margin clearance following pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. J Gastrointest Surg 2013;17:511-21. 10.1007/s11605-012-2131-z - DOI - PubMed
    1. Burris HA, 3rd, Moore MJ, Andersen J, et al. Improvements in survival and clinical benefit with gemcitabine as first-line therapy for patients with advanced pancreas cancer: a randomized trial. J Clin Oncol 1997;15:2403-13. 10.1200/JCO.1997.15.6.2403 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Di Marco M, Di Cicilia R, Macchini M, et al. Metastatic pancreatic cancer: is gemcitabine still the best standard treatment? (Review). Oncol Rep 2010;23:1183-92. 10.3892/or_00000749 - DOI - PubMed