[Role of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine for pancreatic cancer: feasibility and anti-tumor effect].
BACKGROUND
The feasibility and anti-tumor activity of gemcitabine in postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were evaluated retrospectively.


METHODS
Sixteen patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, who had a pancreatic resection with curative intent over the three years up to February 2003, were enrolled in this study. Aggressive surgery with dissection of para-aortic nodes and nerves around the superior mesenteric and celiac artery was carried out. After the operation, all patients have been given biweekly administration of 1,000 mg/m2 gemcitabine for more than 12 courses.


RESULTS
The chemotherapy was well tolerated with only mild symptomatic and hematologic toxicities. Grade 3 adverse effects were observed in only 3 patients (19%); nausea and vomiting in 1 patient and leucocytopenia in 2 patients. The disease-specific cumulative survival rates were 81% at 1 year and 47% at 2 years, with a median survival of 20.4 months. The median disease-free interval was 16.8 months in all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Adjuvant systemic chemotherapy utilizing gemcitabine was feasible with acceptable adverse effects. Gemcitabine is a promising agent for the treatment of resectable advanced pancreatic cancer, and a randomized control trial is warranted for gemcitabine-based chemotherapy.
Kurosaki
Isao
I
Division of Digestive & General Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical & Dental Science.
Tsuchiya
Yoshiaki
Y
Shimizu
Takeaki
T
Hatakeyama
Katsuyoshi
K
D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D010180:Pancreatectomy; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D014840:Vomiting, Anticipatory / Q000209:etiology; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine