Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 11, 2026
Author Spotlight: Reprogramming Cancer Cells to iPSCs to Study Disease Progression and Treatment Targets
Published on: February 2, 2024
Poor Glycemic Control Is Associated with Failure to Complete Neoadjuvant Therapy and Surgery in Patients with
E S Paul Rajamanickam1, K K Christians1, M Aldakkak1
1Department of Surgery (Division of Surgical Oncology), Pancreatic Cancer Program, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 W Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.
Background:
The impact of glycemic control in patients with pancreatic cancer treated with neoadjuvant therapy is unclear.
Methods:
Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values were measured in patients with localized pancreatic cancer prior to any therapy (pretreatment) and after neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery (preoperative). HbA1c levels greater than 6.5% were classified as abnormal. Patients were categorized based on the change in HbA1c levels from pretreatment to preoperative: GrpA, always normal; Gr B, worsened; GrpC, improved; and GrpD, always abnormal.
Results:
Pretreatment HbA1c levels were evaluable in 123 patients; there were 67 (55%) patients in GrpA, 8 (6%) in GrpB, 22 (18%) in GrpC, and 26 (21%) in GrpD. Of the 123 patients, 92 (75%) completed all intended therapy to include surgery; 57 (85%) patients in GrpA, 4 (50%) patients in GrpB, 16 (72%) patients in GrpC, and 15 (58%) patients in GrpD (p = 0.01). Elevated preoperative carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) (OR 0.22;[0.07-0.66]), borderline resectable (BLR) disease stage (OR 0.20;[0.01-0.45]) and abnormal preoperative HbA1c (OR 0.30;[0.11-0.90]) were negatively associated with completion of all intended therapy. Abnormal preoperative HbA1c was associated with a 2.74-fold increased odds of metastatic progression during neoadjuvant therapy (p = 0.08).
Conclusions:
Elevated preoperative HbA1c is associated with failure to complete neoadjuvant therapy and surgery and a trend for increased risk of metastatic progression.
