Response to a third-line mitomycin C (MMC)-based chemotherapy in a patient with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma carrying germline BRCA2 mutation.
BACKGROUND
Gemcitabine remains the mainstay of palliative chemotherapy for those patients with unresectable or metastatic pancreatic cancer. Objective radiological responses to gemcitabine are rare and reported median survival is only about six months. New therapeutic concepts and strategies are needed in order to improve those dismal statistics.


METHODS
We report here a case of a patient with metastatic pancreatic cancer responding to a third-line therapy with combination of mitomycin C and capecitabine. Interestingly, the patient had a strong family history of breast cancer and tested positive to germline BRCA2 mutation.


CONCLUSIONS
We feel that this is of interest because of preclinical reports of increased sensitivity of pancreatic cells carrying BRCA2 mutations to DNA-intercalating agents such as mitomycin C. Further research and clinical trials are warranted to support this novel concept.
Chalasani
Pavani
P
Arizona Cancer Center, University Medical Center, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
Kurtin
Sandra
S
Dragovich
Tomislav
T
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D018095:Germ-Line Mutation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen; D016685:Mitomycin