title: Second-line chemotherapy in advanced pancreatic carcinoma: a multicenter survey of the Gruppo Oncologico Italia Meridionale on the activity and safety of the FOLFOX4 regimen in clinical practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In daily clinical practice second-line chemotherapy (SLCT) is frequently given to patients with advanced pancreatic cancer failing gemcitabine-based first-line chemotherapy without solid scientific support.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective survey was carried out including 42 patients. Patients received standard FOLFOX4 regimen biweekly until progression or unacceptable toxicity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six partial responses (14%) and 16 stabilizations (38%) were recorded for a tumor growth control rate of 57%. The median time to progression (TtP) was 4 months (range 1-7 months), and median overall survival (OS) was 6.7 months (range 2-9 months). A stabilization of performance status (PS) and a subjective improvement of cancer-related symptoms were recorded in 27 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data presented in this paper support the use of FOLFOX4 regimen in the second-line treatment of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas patients. The use of SLCT, however, should be carefully proposed to patients with good PS or those who had a good response to first-line therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Oncology and Clinical Applications, University of Palermo, La Maddalena Clinic for Cancer, Palermo, Italy. vittorio.gebbia@tin.it
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gebbia
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maiello
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giuliani
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Borsellino
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Maggio
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferraù
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bordonaro
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Verderame
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tralongo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Cristina
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Agueli
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Colucci
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil