Adjuvant regional chemotherapy in advanced pancreatic cancer: results of a prospective study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In order to improve the dismal prognosis of patients suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer we treated 20 patients with adjuvant regional chemotherapy following resection of the tumor. METHODOLOGY: All tumors were classified UICC stage III (TxN1M0). Regional chemotherapy consisted of Mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2 day 1, Folinic Acid 170 mg/m2 and 5-FU 600 mg/m2 days 2-4, and cis-Platinum 60 mg/m2 day 5 for up to 6 cycles. In a total of 101 cycles toxicities WHO III occurred in 6%, WHO IV in 0%. RESULTS: The median survival times, compared to institutional historical controls (treated vs. controls) were 18.5 vs. 9.3 months (p < 0.0006). Hepatic disease progression seemed to be suppressed. CONCLUSION: In conclusion regional chemotherapy seems to be effective for adjuvant treatment in resected pancreatic cancer.