Phase II study of epirubicin in advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

The EORTC Gastrointestinal Group has conducted a phase II trial in 41 patients with locally advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas with epirubicin 90 mg/m2 intravenously every 4 weeks, with dose escalation if possible. Seven patients were not evaluable for response. In 34 evaluable patients there were two complete and six partial responses (response rate 24%). Nine patients had stable disease for at least 2 months, including one patient with a minor response. Median time to progression for responders was 7 months, for all patients 3 months. Median survival for responders was 9 months, for all patients 5 months. It is concluded that epirubicin is an active drug in pancreatic cancer.