Second-line intra-arterial chemotherapy in advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Front Biosci. 2006 Jan 1:11:782-7. doi: 10.2741/1836.

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate activity and toxicity of the FLEC (folinic acid 100 mg/m2; 5-fluorouracil 1000 mg/m2; carboplatin 300 mg/m2; epirubicin 60 mg/m2) schedule as second-line treatment for progressive locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer (LAMPC). FLEC was administered every 3 weeks with an angiographic catheter introduced into the tumor vascular bed. Thirty-two patients were enrolled. Twenty patients had a PS of 2. Twenty-five patients had metastatic disease to liver. Seven (21.9%) partial responses were observed (WHO criteria). Fifteen patients (46.9%) had stable disease and ten patients (31.2%) had progressive disease. The median OS from the diagnosis was 11.8 months. PS (p=0.0308) and pain (WHO scale, p=0.0222; analogic scale, p=0.0446) significantly improved after therapy. No patient discontinued treatment because of toxicity (NCI-CTC criteria). The current study shows that intraarterial chemotherapy is a good therapeutic option in second-line treatment of LAMPC.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Body Weight
  • Carboplatin / therapeutic use
  • Disease Progression
  • Epirubicin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intra-Arterial*
  • Leucovorin / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Epirubicin
  • Carboplatin
  • Leucovorin
  • Fluorouracil

Supplementary concepts

  • FLEC protocol