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[Experience with chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic carcinoma]
N Iu Kokhanenko1, M L Gershanovich, A M Ignashov
1I.P. Pavlov State Medical University, St. Petersburg.
Voprosy Onkologii
|February 24, 2001
Summary
For advanced pancreatic cancer, gemcitabine chemotherapy demonstrated superior effectiveness compared to other regimens like 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and FAM, offering improved survival rates and palliation with minimal toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Oncology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Context:
- Advanced pancreatic cancer presents a significant therapeutic challenge with limited effective treatment options.
- Chemotherapy is often employed for palliative care in advanced pancreatic cancer, aiming to improve quality of life and extend survival.
- Evaluating different chemotherapy regimens is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies in this patient population.
Purpose:
- To compare the efficacy and safety of various chemotherapy regimens, including 5-fluorouracil (5FU), Adriamycin, Mitomycin C (FAM), and gemcitabine, in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
- To assess response rates, duration of response, and survival outcomes for each treatment group.
- To evaluate the palliative effect and toxicity profile of the studied chemotherapy regimens.
Summary:
- A study involving 74 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer compared four chemotherapy regimens: FAM, 5FU alone, 5FU plus leukovorin, and gemcitabine alone.
- Gemcitabine showed the highest partial response rate (30%) and longest mean duration of response (9 months), with an average survival of 7.9 months.
- While all regimens had insignificant toxic side-effects, gemcitabine emerged as the most effective, contributing to a 20% increase in survival and demonstrating significant benefits for responsive patients (9.8 months survival).
Impact:
- Gemcitabine demonstrated superior efficacy in advanced pancreatic cancer treatment, offering a more effective palliative option.
- The findings suggest that gemcitabine can significantly improve survival outcomes for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
- This study underscores the importance of selecting appropriate chemotherapy agents for maximizing patient benefit and palliation in advanced pancreatic cancer.