significant increase in survival time in pancreatic cancer using gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil and fol

[Roger]

(from Pubmed) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ui
ds=12865908&dopt=Abstract

Br J Cancer. 2003 Jul 21;89(2):239-42.

A novel biweekly pancreatic cancer treatment schedule with gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil and
folinic acid.

Oncology Section, Department of Human Pathology and Oncology, Siena University School of Medicine,
Viale Bracci 11, 53100 Siena, Italy.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a common disease considered to be poorly responsive to antiblastic
treatment. Recent clinical and preclinical results suggest that a combined treatment of gemcitabine
(GEM), 5-flurouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid (FA) offers a clinical benefit in patients with
advanced pancreas adenocarcinoma. The aim of this phase II clinical trial was to evaluate the
antitumour activity and toxicity of a novel biweekly schedule of this combination in patients with
pancreatic adenocarcinoma. A total of 42 patients received a 30 min infusion of FA (100 mg m(-2))
and 5-FU (400 mg m(-2)) (FUFA) on days 1-3, and GEM 1000 mg m(-2) on day 1 every 15 days. We
observed 13 objective responses (two complete, 11 partial) and 23 stable diseases. The median time
to progression was 9.75 months (95% Confidence Interval (CI), 6.88-12.62) and the median overall
survival was 13.10 months (95% CI 9.64-16.56). There were seven cases of each grade III
gastroenteric and haematological toxicity. The GEM plus FUFA combination appears to be well
tolerated and very active in patients with pancreatic carcinoma.

 

[J]

Roger wrote:

> (from Pubmed) http://www.nc
> i.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12865908&dopt=Abstract
>
> Br J Cancer. 2003 Jul 21;89(2):239-42.
>
> A novel biweekly pancreatic cancer treatment schedule with gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil and
> folinic acid.
>
> Oncology Section, Department of Human Pathology and Oncology, Siena University School of Medicine,
> Viale Bracci 11, 53100 Siena, Italy.
>
> Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a common disease considered to be poorly responsive to antiblastic
> treatment. Recent clinical and preclinical results suggest that a combined treatment of
> gemcitabine (GEM), 5-flurouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid (FA) offers a clinical benefit in
> patients with advanced pancreas adenocarcinoma. The aim of this phase II clinical trial was to
> evaluate the antitumour activity and toxicity of a novel biweekly schedule of this combination in
> patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. A total of 42 patients received a 30 min infusion of FA
> (100 mg m(-2)) and 5-FU (400 mg m(-2)) (FUFA) on days 1-3, and GEM 1000 mg m(-2) on day 1 every 15
> days. We observed 13 objective responses (two complete, 11 partial) and 23 stable diseases. The
> median time to progression was 9.75 months (95% Confidence Interval (CI), 6.88-12.62) and the
> median overall survival was 13.10 months (95% CI 9.64-16.56). There were seven cases of each grade
> III gastroenteric and haematological toxicity. The GEM plus FUFA combination appears to be well
> tolerated and very active in patients with pancreatic carcinoma.

I don't see "significant" there, especially when one considers the following: http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-
8&selm=KyW97.994%243x.3689%40news.bc.tac.net

J (uncross-posted)