title: Feasibility of radiotherapy with concomitant gemcitabine and oxaliplatin in locally advanced pancreatic cancer and distal cholangiocarcinoma: a prospective dose finding phase I-II study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prognosis of pancreaticobiliary tumors is poor. The aim was to assess the feasibility of radiotherapy (RT) and concomitant gemcitabine and oxaliplatin in locally advanced pancreatic cancer and distal cholangiocarcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two patients with locally advanced pancreatic (n = 17) or biliary tract cancer (n = 5) were included. They received two cycles of gemcitabine/oxaliplatin followed by 5 weeks of RT in combination with a weekly fixed dose gemcitabine and an escalating dose of oxaliplatin from 40 up to 70 mg/m(2). National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria 3.0 was used to score weekly the treatment-related toxicity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients treated at a dose of 40 mg/m(2) of oxaliplatin had no dose-limiting toxicity. At 50 mg/m(2), two patients developed grade 4 thrombocytopenia. Nine patients received 60 mg/m(2), one developed grade 4 thrombocytopenia. Grade 4 thrombocytopenia in two patients and grade 3 diarrhea in one patient were observed with 70 mg/m(2). Median time to progression was 8 months and median overall survival was 17 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RT in combination with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin is feasible in patients with locally advanced pancreaticobiliary cancer. The reported time to progression underlines the potential activity of this regimen. The dose of 60 mg/m(2) of oxaliplatin can be considered as the recommended dose.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laurent
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Monsaert
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boterberg
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Demols
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Borbath
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Polus
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hendlisz
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: de Hemptinne
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mahin
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Scalliet
authors.forename: J-L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Van Laethem
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peeters
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine