Pancreatic cancer treated with carmustine, fluorouracil, and spironolactone: a randomized study

Abstract

A prospective randomized trial between two drug regimens in 38 patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma was performed. The two-drug regimen consisted of carmustine and fluorouracil. The survival rate and response to these two drugs was compared to a three-drug regimen consisting of these same two drugs plus spironolactone. Objective partial responses were rare in both groups, being 3/18 in the two-drug group and 2/20 in the three-drug group. Life table analysis in previously untreated patients from time of treatment shows longer survival for the three-drug group, but this difference was not statistically significant.