Phase II study of cisplatin, gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil in advanced pancreatic cancer.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine the activity of the combination of cisplatin, gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as therapy for metastatic or locally advanced inoperable pancreatic adenocarcinoma.


METHODS
Patients with histologically proven advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma received first-line chemotherapy comprising cisplatin (20 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and 36), gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, 29 and 36) and 5-FU (200 mg/m2 as continuous infusion on days 1-42) every 56 days.


RESULTS
A total of 34 patients were studied. Eighty courses were administered (median two courses per patient). Among 32 patients evaluable for response, two patients had a complete response and four a partial response for an overall response rate of 19% (95% confidence interval 7% to 36%). Thirteen patients had stable disease (40%) and 13 progressed. Median progression-free survival was 4.7 months, median survival 9.0 months and 26% of patients achieved 1-year survival. Ten of 25 patients (40%) with pain at presentation had a sustained reduction of analgesic consumption. The principal grade 3/4 toxicities were neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anaemia and mucositis, occurring in 24%, 21%, 9% and 3% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This schedule seems well tolerated and active in pancreatic cancer and worthwhile of further evaluation.
Oncologia Medica, Centro Oncologico Ematologico Subalpino, Azienda Ospedaliera Molinette, Torino, Italy.
A
A
Novarino
I
I
Chiappino
G F
GF
Bertelli
A
A
Heouaine
G
G
Ritorto
A
A
Addeo
G
G
Bellone
M
M
Merlano
O
O
Bertetto
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D015996:Survival Rate; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D000093542:Gemcitabine