title: Research trends in the treatment of neoplasms of the exocrine pancreas.
abstract: To-date, the therapeutic standards, defined by randomized studies for carcinoma of the exocrine pancreas are disappointing. Obviously, there is much interest in the improvement of these results based on the evidence of additional clinical trials. To identify some trends in the clinical research in this field, some characteristics of 31 ongoing trials, described in the web site of the National Cancer Institute were examined. 28/31 trials are coordinated by Centers of the U.S.A. and 3/31 trials specifically concern symptom palliation. Excluding the latter, 4 trials enroll patients with operable neoplasms, 8 with inoperable tumors, 4 with metastatic neoplasm and 12 involve both latter categories. Four of the 5 phase I or I-II studies concern concomitant radiochemotherapy of inoperable neoplasms; the 16 phase II studies and the 7 phase III studies involve the use of different combined modality therapies in all patient categories. Overall, 18 trials test innovative treatment modalities (new drugs, immunotherapy, monoclonal antibodies). Eight trials include the evaluation of the quality of life between endpoints. Based on this assessment of some of the ongoing clinical trials, hopefully, there will be: 1. a greater interest in the prospective therapies for this neoplasm, especially at the European level, considering the high incidence of this disease; 2. more careful attention to the possibility of downstaging of locally advanced neoplasms considering the present, proven possibility to achieve better clinical responses in pancreatic carcinoma; 3. a more widespread interest in the establishment of parameters for the quality of life, considering the frequently "palliative" intent of available therapies.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra di Radioterapia, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Policlinico A. Gemelli, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Roma, Italy. ncellini@rm.unicatt.it
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cellini
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Morganti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luzi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Macchia
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Smaniotto
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Trodella
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D012106:Research / Q000639:trends