The clinical efficacy of adjuvant systemic chemotherapy with gemcitabine and NSC-631570 in advanced pancreatic cancer
Gansauge, F.; Ramadani, M.; Schwarz, M.; Beger, H.G.; Lotspeich, E.; Poch, B.
Hepato-Gastroenterology 54(75): 917-920
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0172-6390 PMID: 17591092 Document Number: 608389
Background/Aims: Recently we have shown that NSC-631570 (Ukrain) is a safe and effective drug in the treatment of unresectable pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the combined treatment with Gemcitabine and NSC-631570 in the adjuvant treatment of resected advanced pancreatic cancer.Methodology: 30 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy following surgical resection for pancreatic cancer. Chemotherapy consisted of Gemcitabine according to the Burris-protocol with weekly infusions of 1000mg/sqm. Immediately following Gemcitabine infusion 20mg of NSC-631570 were administered intravenously over 15 minutes.Results: WHO grade II toxicities were observed in 53%, no WHO grade III or IV toxicities occurred. In 80% of the patients recurrence of the disease was observed. The relapse-free survival time was 21.7 months. The actuarial survival rates were 86.7% after one year, 76.6% after two years, 46.7% after three years and 23.3% after five years. The median survival time according to Kaplan-Meier regression analysis was 33.8 months.Conclusions: Adjuvant chemotherapy in advanced stages of pancreatic cancer using the combination of Gemcitabine and NSC-631570 is a safe treatment and seems to lead to a prolonged survival. Although further investigation is needed to confirm these results, the combined treatment of Gemcitabine and NSC-631570 is a promising therapy for the adjuvant treatment of resectable advanced pancreatic cancer.