title: Radiation therapy and 5-fluorouracil modulated by leucovorin for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. A phase I study.
abstract: This Phase I study was designed to build on the Gastrointestinal Tumor Study Group's experience with combined modality therapy in patients with pancreatic cancer. Thirteen patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas received weekly 5-fluorouracil by rapid intravenous infusion midway through a 2-h infusion of high dose leucovorin during external beam radiation therapy. Twelve patients received 100% of planned external beam radiation; treatment delays occurred in only three. Four patients received 100% of planned chemotherapy doses. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia caused reduction of the number of chemotherapy doses given during radiation in six patients; diarrhea, severe nausea and vomiting, and wound abscess caused reduction in three patients. Ten patients were evaluable for response; two had complete responses, one had a partial response, and two had minor responses. In this small series baseline and post-treatment CA 19-9 levels predicted and correlated with response. We conclude that radiation and 5-FU modulated by leucovorin is a tolerable treatment regimen for carcinoma of the pancreas, with preliminary suggestion of activity, that warrants further Phase II testing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Schifeling
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Konski
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Dobelbower
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Merrick
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Skeel
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000097:blood; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil