Gemcitabine and oxaliplatin for metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a North Central Cancer Treatment Group phase II study

Background: This study was performed to determine the efficacy of gemcitabine and oxaliplatin in patients with advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (ACA). Patients and methods: Pancreatic ACA patients with previously untreated advanced or metastatic disease were enrolled in a phase 11 study of gemcitabine and oxaliplatin. Oxaliplatin was given i.v. on day I and gemcitabine i.v. on days I and 8 of a 3-week cycle. The primary end point of the trial was 6-month survival. Secondary end points included response rate, overall survival, median time to progression and toxicity. Results: A total of 47 patients were enrolled, 46 of whom were evaluable. Of those patients assessed for the primary end point 50% lived for greater than or equal to6 months. The median time to progression was 4.53 months. Five confirmed responses were seen with a median duration of response of 2.7 months. Overall, the treatment was well tolerated. However, one patient died as a result of treatment-related hemolytic uremic syndrome. Conclusions: Gemcitabine and oxaliplatin, at doses of 1000 mg/m(2) and 100 mg/m(2), respectively, showed moderate, activity in patients with pancreatic ACA. Based on the results of this study further evaluation of this combination is warranted.