Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this phase II multi-institutional study was to define the efficacy and toxicity of infusional 5-FU in combination with PALA and leucovorin in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Patients and methods: Patients were required to have histologically confirmed pancreatic cancer that was locally advanced, unresectable or disseminated. The treatment regimen consisted of weekly 5-FU 2600 mg/m2 given concurrently with leucovorin at 500 mg/m2. Both drugs were administered by 24-hour continuous infusion. PALA was administered 24 hours prior to the administration of 5-FU/LV at a dose of 250 mg/m2 IV over 15 minutes weekly. Patients were continued on the assigned treatment regimen until progression of disease, unacceptable toxicity, or the patient declined further therapy. Results: This study accrued 30 patients. Four of these patients were ineligible. All 26 eligible patients were evaluated for toxicity. One patient had inadequate assessment of response and was considered a non-responder. Three of the twenty-six eligible patients had partial responses, for a response rate of 12% (95% confidence interval 2% to 30%). All 26 eligible patients have died and the median overall survival was 7 months (95% confidence interval: 5.2 to 9 months). Four patients experienced grade 4 toxicities, including bilirubin increase (2 patients), vomiting (1 patient) and non-local skin ulceration (1). Two patients discontinued therapy due to toxicity. Conclusion: The dual modulation of 5-FU with PALA and leucovorin in the dose and schedule used here, has a response rate similar to other single agents in pancreatic cancer and can result in some long term survival while having relatively mild toxicity.
