ISSN:
1569-8041
Keywords:
chemotherapy
;
intra-arterial
;
liver metastasis
;
unresectable pancreatic cancer
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Background:A phase II trial of a new intra-arterial chemotherapyregimen for unresectable pancreatic cancer (UPC). Patients and methods:Ninety-six patients with UPC were treatedwith intra-arterial chemotherapy at three-weekly intervals. The schedule usedwas FLEC: 5-fluorouracil 1000 mg/m2, folinic acid 100mg/m2, carboplatin 300 mg/m2; epirubicin 60mg/m2. Results:The overall response rates by CT-scan evaluation were:15% partial response (PR), 44% stable disease (SD), 17%progressive disease (PD). The overall median survival was 9.9 months, and 10.6and 6.8 for UICC stage III and IV, respectively. Pain reduction occurred in42% of patients. A weight gain 〉7% from baseline occurred in8% of patients. A total of 341 courses of FLEC were administered. Grade3–4 hematological toxicity was seen in 25% of patients;ematemesis in 4%; grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicity in 3%; andgrade 3 alopecia in 16%. One sudden death, a pre-infarction angina, anda transitory ischemic attack were observed. The only complication related tothe angiographic procedure was an intimal dissection of the iliac artery. Conclusions:The intra-arterial FLEC regimen was well toleratedand active. It requires only one day of hospitalization. Efficacy could onlybe assessed in a randomized study against a gemcitabine containing regimen.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1008335331516
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