title: Pharmacological ascorbate with gemcitabine for the control of metastatic and node-positive pancreatic cancer (PACMAN): results from a phase I clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatment for pancreatic cancer with pharmacological ascorbate (ascorbic acid, vitamin C) decreases tumor progression in preclinical models. A phase I clinical trial was performed to establish safety and tolerability of pharmacological ascorbate combined with gemcitabine in patients with biopsy-proven stage IV pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine subjects received twice-weekly intravenous ascorbate (15-125 g) employing Simon's accelerated titration design to achieve a targeted post-infusion plasma level of ≥350 mg/dL (≥20 mM). Subjects received concurrent gemcitabine. Disease burden, weight, performance status, hematologic and metabolic laboratories, time to progression and overall survival were monitored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean plasma ascorbate trough levels were significantly higher than baseline (1.46 ± 0.02 vs. 0.78 ± 0.09 mg/dL, i.e., 83 vs. 44 μM, p < 0.001). Adverse events attributable to the drug combination were rare and included diarrhea (n = 4) and dry mouth (n = 6). Dose-limiting criteria were not met for this study. Mean survival of subjects completing at least two cycles (8 weeks) of therapy was 13 ± 2 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data suggest pharmacologic ascorbate administered concurrently with gemcitabine is well tolerated. Initial data from this small sampling suggest some efficacy. Further studies powered to determine efficacy should be conducted.
authors: Department of Surgery, 1528 JCP-UIHC, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Welsh
authors: B A
authors: BA
authors: Wagner
authors: T J
authors: TJ
authors: van't Erve
authors: P S
authors: PS
authors: Zehr
authors: D J
authors: DJ
authors: Berg
authors: T R
authors: TR
authors: Halfdanarson
authors: N S
authors: NS
authors: Yee
authors: K L
authors: KL
authors: Bodeker
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Du
authors: L J
authors: LJ
authors: Roberts
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Drisko
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Levine
authors: G R
authors: GR
authors: Buettner
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Cullen
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D061214:Patient Safety; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000975:Antioxidants; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D005978:Glutathione; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D000093542:Gemcitabine
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