title: Pilot study of combination chemotherapy using irinotecan plus S-1 for metastatic pancreatic cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combination regimen using irinotecan plus S-1 in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on the results of our previous phase I/II study in patients with gastric and colorectal cancer, we initiated a regimen with irinotecan at 100 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 15 and S-1 at 80 mg/m(2) starting at day 1 for 14 consecutive days, followed by a 14-day rest period. This treatment was repeated every 28 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From November 2003 to December 2006, a total of 16 patients were enrolled. All patients presented with metastatic disease. Six patients had received prior gemcitabine. The median number of treatment cycles was 4 (range 1-16) and the response rate was 43.7% (95% confidence interval 19.5-68.1). The median time to progression was 4.9 months, and the median survival time was 11.3 months. Grade 3-4 neutropenia developed in 5 of 16 patients and grade 3 diarrhea in 1 patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of irinotecan and S-1 is feasible and promising for pancreatic cancer. Further evaluation of this combination chemotherapy is required.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology, Misawa City Hospital, Misawa, Japan. kouheis0824@yahoo.co.jp
authors.forename: Kohei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shitara
authors.forename: Yoshito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Komatsu
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yuki
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Munakata
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Muto
authors.forename: Sen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shimaya
authors.forename: Yuh
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakata