The Inclusion of a Gemcitabine + Nab-paclitaxel Regimen as a 2nd Line Treatment for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer - First Experience
Abstract
Introduction: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The outcomes at all stages of the disease are the worst among patients with solid tumors.
Patients and Methods: Analyses were conducted on 19 patients treated with gamcitabine + nab-paclitaxel for locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer as a second line treatment between October, 2014, and December, 2016, at Department of Oncology of First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital in Prague. Patients were treated with gemcitabine (1,000 mg/sqm) + nab-paclitaxel (125 mg/sqm) at days 1, 8 and 15 of each 28-day cycle.
Antitumor efficacy (disease control rate (DCR), time to progression (TTP), and overall survival (OS)) and adverse events were monitored. Results: Disease control according to RECIST criteria was achieved in nine cases (56.3%, two partial regressions were observed).
The median TTP was 5.5 months and median OS was 10.1 months. Conclusion: In patients with advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer with good performance statuses (0-1) gemcitabine + nab-paclitaxel as a second line treatment led to a prolongation in time to progression and higher overall survival with good quality of life.