Role of neoadjuvant therapy in the multimodality treatment of older patients with pancreatic cancer

Comparison of the upfront surgery and neoadjuvant therapy in resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Pancreatic cancer is a malignant disease with a dismal prognosis. While neoadjuvant therapy has shown promise in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, its role remains a subject of controversy among physicians. We aimed to evaluate the benefits of neoadjuvant therapy in patients with resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. Eligible studies were identified from MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Studies comparing neoadjuvant therapy with upfront surgery (with or without adjuvant therapy) in resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer were included. The primary endpoint assessed was overall survival. A total of 10,022 studies were identified, and the meta-analysis finally enrolled 50 revealed studies. The meta-analysis suggested that neoadjuvant therapy significantly improved the overall survival (HR 0.74, p < 0.001) and recurrence-free survival (HR 0.75, p = 0.006) compared to the upfront surgery approach. Furthermore, neoadjuvant therapy leads to favorable postoperative outcomes, with an enhanced R0 resection rate (OR 1.90, p < 0.001) and reduced lymph node metastasis (OR 0.36, p < 0.001) and perineural invasion (OR 0.42, p < 0.001), although it is associated with a reduced resection rate (OR 0.42, p < 0.001). In addition, patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy experience superior survival benefits compared to those undergoing adjuvant therapy (HR 0.87, p = 0.019). These results are further corroborated by the subgroup analysis of randomized controlled trials. Neoadjuvant therapy has the potential to provide survival benefits and improve postoperative long-term outcomes for patients with resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. However, to validate and reinforce these findings, further well-designed and large trials are required.

Surgical management for elderly patients with pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer, one of the diseases of the elderly, has dismal prognosis, demanding major surgery with high risk and life quality problems, especially in the elderly. Therefore, treatment selection, whether or not to undergo surgery, preoperative risk assessment, and perioperative management of the elderly are becoming critical issues. Although the elderly are expected to have higher morbidity and mortality and lower long-term survival outcomes, surgery is becoming safer over time. Appropriate surgical indication selection, patient-centered decision-making, adequate prehabilitation and postoperative geriatric care are expected to improve surgical outcomes in the elderly. Surgeons must have the concept of geriatric care, and efforts based on institutional systems and academic societies are required. If well selected and prepared, the same surgical principle as non-elderly patients can be applied to elderly patients. In this paper, the surgical treatment of elderly patients with pancreatic cancer is reviewed.

Optimal management of patients with operable pancreatic head cancer: A Markov decision analysis

INTRODUCTION

Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) is an emerging strategy for operable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). While NAT increases multimodal therapy completion, it risks functional decline and treatment dropout. We used decision analysis to determine optimal management of localized PDAC and consider risks faced by elderly patients.

METHODS

A Markov cohort decision analysis model evaluated treatment options for a 60-year-old patient with resectable PDAC: (1) upfront pancreaticoduodenectomy or (2) NAT. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. A subanalysis considered the scenario of a 75-year-old patient.

RESULTS

For the base case, NAT offered an incremental survival gain of 4.6 months compared with SF (overall survival: 26.3 vs. 21.7 months). In one-way sensitivity analyses, findings were sensitive to recurrence-free survival for NAT patients undergoing adjuvant, probability of completing NAT, and probability of being resectable at exploration after NAT. On probabilistic analysis, NAT was favored in a majority of trials (97%) with a median survival benefit of 5.1 months. In altering the base case for the 75-year-old scenario, NAT had a survival benefit of 3.8 months.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis demonstrates a significant benefit to NAT in patients with localized PDAC. This benefit persists even in the elderly cohort.

Survival Trends for Resectable Pancreatic Cancer Using a Multidisciplinary Conference: the Impact of Post-operative Chemotherapy

PURPOSE

Despite advances in various treatment modalities, surgical resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) remains the only curative treatment. Data remains limited regarding survival rates for resectable PDA when managed by a multidisciplinary pancreas conference (MDPC). The aim of this study is to assess survival rates, identify significant predictors of mortality, and assess the benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy for resectable PDA following presentation at a MDPC.

METHODS

All patients presented from April 2013 to August 2016 with resectable PDA were discussed at a MDPC at a tertiary care center and were followed prospectively until November 2017. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier for age, tumor size, tumor differentiation, T-stage, lymph node status, and completion of adjuvant chemotherapy cycles. Independent predictors of survival were determined using multivariate Cox regression modeling.

RESULTS

After MDPC consensus and exclusions, total of 64 patients underwent successful surgery. Amongst this cohort, 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival was 78.13%, 46.30%, and 27.27%, respectively. A total of 37 patients (58%) initiated and 16 patients (25%) finished chemotherapy following surgery. Log-rank analysis revealed that tumor size, age, surgical margins, lymph node status, and number of adjuvant chemotherapy cycles received significantly influenced post-operative survival. Tumor size (p < 0.001), lymph node status (p = 0.035), and number of adjuvant chemotherapy cycles (p = 0.041) remained significant after multivariate Cox regression model.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that patients with PDA with tumor size > 50 mm and/or lymph node involvement have poor outcomes despite being surgically resectable. Successful completion of adjuvant chemotherapy has better survival outcomes as compared with incomplete or no adjuvant chemotherapy. The role of alternative management such as down-staging with neoadjuvant therapy should be considered.

Optimal Management of Resectable Pancreatic Head Cancer in the Elderly Patient: Does Neoadjuvant Therapy Offer a Survival Benefit?

INTRODUCTION

Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) is a growing strategy for patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Elderly patients are at increased risk of treatment withdrawal due to functional decline, and the benefit of NAT in this cohort remains to be studied.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to compare outcomes of elderly patients with resectable head PDAC who underwent NAT or a surgery-first (SF) approach.

METHODS

All patients 75 years of age and older with radiographically resectable (National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria) PDAC who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at a single institution from 2008 to 2017 were analyzed. Baseline characteristics and perioperative outcomes were compared between the SF and NAT cohorts. Recurrence-free survival and overall survival (OS) were analyzed by treatment strategy.

RESULTS

Overall, 158 patients were identified: SF cohort = 90 (57%) and NAT cohort = 68 (43%). Patients in the SF cohort were older (80 vs. 78 years; p = 0.01) but there were no differences in preoperative comorbidities or frailty indices. SF patients had a trend toward higher rates of major complications (38% vs. 24%; p = 0.06) with higher Comprehensive Complication Index totals (20.9 vs. 20; p = 0.03). There were similar rates of adjuvant therapy. NAT was associated with significantly longer OS (24.6 vs. 17.6 months; p = 0.01) in both the intent-to-treat and resected cohorts. On multivariable analysis (MVA), NAT remained an independent predictor of OS (hazard ratio 0.60; p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

NAT is safe and effective for elderly patients with PDAC. This study suggests NAT is associated with fewer complications after surgery, equal rates of adjuvant therapy receipt, and increased OS over a surgery-first approach.

Neoadjuvant Therapy is Essential for Resectable Pancreatic Cancer

BACKGROUND

Awareness of the benefits of neoadjuvant therapy is increasing, but its use as an initial therapeutic option for patients with resectable pancreatic cancer remains controversial, especially for those patients without high-risk prognostic features. Even for patients with high-risk features who are candidates to receive neoadjuvant therapy, no standard regimen exists.

METHODS

In this review, we examined available data on the neoadjuvant therapy in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer, including prospective studies, retrospective studies, and ongoing clinical trials, by searching PubMed/MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The characteristics and results of screened studies were described.

RESULTS

Retrospective and prospective studies with reported results and ongoing randomized studies were included. For patients with resectable pancreatic cancer, neoadjuvant therapy provides benefits such as increased survival, decreased risk of comorbidities and mortality, and improved cost-effectiveness due to an increased completion rate of multimodal treatment. Highly active regimens such as FOLFIRINOX (folinic acid, fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel are considered acceptable therapeutic regimens. Additionally, platinum-containing regimens other than FOLFIRINOX are acceptable for selected patients. Other therapies, such as chemoradiation treatment, immuno-oncology agents, and targeted therapies are being explored and the results are highly anticipated.

CONCLUSION

This review highlights the benefits of neoadjuvant therapy for resectable pancreatic cancer. Some regimens are currently acceptable, but need more evidence from well-designed clinical trials or should be used after being carefully examined by a multidisciplinary team.

Supports and Barriers to Home-Based Physical Activity During Preoperative Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer: A Mixed-Methods Study

BACKGROUND

Physical activity and exercise appear to benefit patients receiving preoperative treatment for cancer. Supports and barriers must be considered to increase compliance with home-based exercise prescriptions in this setting. Such influences have not been previously examined.

METHODS

The authors used quantitative and qualitative methods to examine potential physical activity influences among patients who were prescribed home-based aerobic and strengthening exercises concurrent with preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiation for pancreatic cancer. Physical activity was measured using exercise logs and accelerometers. Social support for exercise and perceived neighborhood walkability were measured using validated surveys. Relationships between influences and physical activity were evaluated using linear regression analyses and qualitative interviews.

RESULTS

Fifty patients received treatment for a mean of 16 (9) weeks prior to planned surgical resection. Social support from friends and neighborhood esthetics were positively associated with physical activity (P < .05). In interviews, patients confirmed the importance of these influences and cited encouragement from health care providers and desire to complete and recover from treatment as additional motivators.

CONCLUSIONS

Interpersonal and environmental motivators of exercise and physical activity must be considered in the design of future home-based exercise interventions designed for patients receiving preoperative therapy for cancer.

Systemic neoadjuvant chemotherapy in modern pancreatic cancer treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains a disease with a poor prognosis despite advances in surgery and systemic therapies. Neoadjuvant therapy strategies are a promising alternative to adjuvant chemotherapy. However, their role remains controversial. This meta-analysis aims to clarify the benefits of neoadjuvant therapy in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Eligible studies were identified from MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library. Studies comparing neoadjuvant therapy with a surgery first approach (with or without adjuvant therapy) in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were included. The primary outcome assessed was overall survival. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed, together with pooling of unadjusted Kaplan-Meier curve data.

RESULTS

A total of 533 studies were identified that analysed the effect of neoadjuvant therapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Twenty-seven studies were included in the final data synthesis. Meta-analysis suggested beneficial effects of neoadjuvant therapy with prolonged survival compared with a surgery-first approach, (hazard ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.69-0.76). In addition, R0 resection rates were significantly higher in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy (relative risk 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.47-0.55). Individual patient data analysis suggested that overall survival was better for patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy (P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence suggests that neoadjuvant chemotherapy has a beneficial effect on overall survival in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in comparison with upfront surgery and adjuvant therapy. Further trials are needed to address the need for practice change.

Home-Based Exercise Prehabilitation During Preoperative Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer Is Associated With Improvement in Physical Function and Quality of Life

Purpose: To investigate relationships among physical activity, changes in physical function, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma enrolled in a home-based exercise prehabilitation program. Methods: Patients with resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma receiving preoperative chemotherapy and/or chemoradiation were enrolled on this prospective, single-arm trial and were advised to perform ≥60 minutes each of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and strengthening exercise weekly. Activity was measured via self-report and accelerometers, including moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity (LPA), and sedentary activity (SA). Physical function measures at baseline and restaging follow-up included 6-minute walk test (6MWT), 5 times sit-to-stand (5×STS), handgrip strength (HGS), 3-m walk for gait speed (GS), and the PROMIS Physical Function Short Form. HRQOL was measured via the FACT-Hep questionnaire. Results: Fifty participants with mean age 66 years (standard deviation = 8 years) were enrolled. The 6MWT, 5×STS, and GS significantly improved from baseline to restaging follow-up (P=.001, P=.049, and P=.009, respectively). Increases in self-reported aerobic exercise, weekly MVPA, and LPA were associated with improvement in 6MWT (β=.19, P=.048; β=.18, P=.03; and β=.08, P=.03, respectively) and self-reported physical functioning (β=.02, P=.03; β=.03, P=.005; and β=.01, P=.02, respectively). Increased weekly LPA was associated with increased HRQOL (β=.03, P=.02). Increased SA was associated with decreased HRQOL (β=-.02,P=.01). Conclusions: Patients with potentially resectable pancreatic cancer exhibit meaningful improvement in physical function with prehabilitation; physical activity was associated with improved physical function and HRQOL. These data highlight the importance of physical activity during treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Physical activity and exercise during preoperative pancreatic cancer treatment

PURPOSE

Guidelines recommend exercise to cancer survivors, but limited data exists regarding exercise among patients undergoing preoperative cancer treatment. We examined differences in weekly self-reported exercise and accelerometer-measured physical activity among participants in a home-based exercise program administered during preoperative treatment for pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

Participants were encouraged to perform at least 60 min/week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and at least 60 min/week of full-body strengthening exercises concurrent with chemotherapy, chemoradiation therapy or both sequentially and received resistance equipment, program instruction, and biweekly follow-up calls to encourage adherence. Self-reported aerobic and strengthening exercise minutes were measured using daily logs, and physical activity was measured objectively using accelerometers.

RESULTS

Fifty participants (48% female, mean age 66 ± 8 years) participated for an average of 16 ± 9 preoperative weeks. Participants reported overall means of 126 ± 83 weekly minutes of aerobic exercise and 39 ± 33 weekly minutes of strengthening exercise in daily logs. Participants performed 158.7 ± 146.7 weekly minutes of accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. There were no significant differences in exercise or physical activity between treatment phases.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that it is feasible to target the entire preoperative course for exercise prescription. Although participants exceeded aerobic exercise recommendations on average, we observed low strengthening exercise adherence and wide variability in self-reported exercise and accelerometer physical activity variables. These findings suggest that additional support, including program adaptations, may be necessary to overcome barriers to exercise or improve motivation when prescribing exercise in this clinical scenario.

Pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic head tumors in the elderly - Systematic review and meta-analysis

The age at which patients are undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy is increasing worldwide. The data on the outcome of this surgical procedure in the elderly is constantly expanding. This meta-analysis aims to assess the safety of pancreatoduodenectomy in elderly population, primarily focusing on morbidity and mortality. We searched the Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases to identify eligible studies. The most recent search was performed on 10th April 2017. Inclusion criteria were: (1) comparison of the characteristics and perioperative outcomes of older patients versus younger patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy; (2) objective evaluation of mortality or overall morbidity; and (3), publication in English. Exclusion criteria were: (1) a lack of comparative data; (2) a lack of primary outcomes or insufficient data to analyze; (3) a focus on procedures other than pancreatoduodenectomy; or (4), the impossibility of extraction of data specifically concerning pancreatoduodenectomy. Primary outcomes were overall morbidity and mortality. Secondary outcomes analyzed postoperative complications, R0 rate and length of hospital stay. 45 eligible studies were chosen, with a combined total of 21,295 patients. Older patients compared to younger patients had a higher risk of death (2.26% vs. 4.54%; RR: 2.23; 95% CI 1.74-2.87) and a higher complication rate (47.23% vs. 39.35%; RR: 1.17; 95% CI 1.12-1.24). There were no differences in pancreatic fistula occurrence (p = 0.27), bile leakage (p = 0.81), postoperative hemorrhage (p = 0.08), or R0 rate (p = 0.92). Our review confirms, that in the case of pancreatoduodenectomy, advanced age is a risk factor for increased non-surgical morbidity and, by extension, higher mortality.

Systemic Combination Chemotherapy in Elderly Pancreatic Cancer: a Review

PURPOSE

In recent years, significant progress in survival has been achieved using systemic combination chemotherapy in patients with pancreatic cancer. However, the elderly are largely underrepresented in clinical trials, and gains made from these may not necessarily apply to this important subgroup of patients. We review the currently available data regarding contemporary combination chemotherapy regimens, including FOLFIRINOX, gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel, nanoliposomal irinotecan plus 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin, and gemcitabine plus capecitabine, in elderly pancreatic cancer patients.

METHODS

We performed a search of Pubmed using the terms "pancreatic cancer", "elderly", "FOLFIRINOX", "gemcitabine", "nab-paclitaxel", "capecitabine", and "nanoliposomal irinotecan" and included articles investigating the use of combination chemotherapy in the elderly with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Relevant abstracts from American Society of Clinical Oncology and European Society of Medical Oncology meetings were included.

RESULTS

Current clinical evidence and experience suggests that relatively fit elderly pancreatic cancer patients may derive significant benefit from contemporary combination chemotherapy regimens. Strategies to improve tolerability without decreasing efficacy include dose reduction, schedule modification, and growth factor support. Phase III clinical trials are ongoing to determine the optimal use of combination chemotherapy regimens in elderly patients with pancreatic cancer.

CONCLUSION

Identifying elderly patients who will benefit from combination chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer remains a significant clinical challenge. An assessment of medical comorbidities and functional status plays a key role in determining fitness for intensive chemotherapeutic regimens in this important subset of patients.

Contemporary Management of Localized Resectable Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the third most common cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Surgical resection with negative margins still constitutes the cornerstone of potentially curative therapy, but is possible only in 15–20% of patients at the time of initial diagnosis. Accumulating evidence suggests that the neoadjuvant approach may improve R0 resection rate in localized resectable and borderline resectable diseases, and potentially downstage locally advanced disease to achieve surgical resection, though the impact on survival is to be determined. Despite advancements in the last decade in developing effective combinational chemo-radio therapeutic options, preoperative treatment strategies, and better peri-operative care, pancreatic cancer continues to carry a dismal prognosis in the majority. Prodigious efforts are currently being made in optimizing the neoadjuvant therapy with a better toxicity profile, developing novel agents, imaging techniques, and identification of biomarkers for the disease. Advancement in our understanding of the tumor microenvironment and molecular pathology is urgently needed to facilitate the development of novel targeted and immunotherapies for this setting. In this review, we detail the current literature on contemporary management of resectable, borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreatic cancer with a focus on future directions in the field.

Recent Advances in Pancreatic Cancer Surgery

OPINION STATEMENT

Pancreatic cancer surgery is a continuously evolving field. Despite tremendous advances in perioperative outcomes, pancreatic resection is still associated with substantial morbidity, and mortality is not nil. Institutional caseload is a well-established determinant of patient outcomes, and centralization to experienced centers is essential to the safety and oncological appropriateness of the resection. Minimally invasive approaches are increasingly applied for pancreatic resection, even in cancer patients. Nevertheless, the level of evidence in this field remains low. Minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy appears potentially beneficial towards some perioperative outcomes, although its oncological results remain incompletely studied. Data regarding perioperative and oncologic outcomes for minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple's resection) is even less mature, but suggest that similar results as the open approach can be achieved in selected, high-volume centers. Conversely, its indiscriminate adoption by inexperienced surgeons and institutions has potential deleterious effects given its steep learning curve. Newer neoadjuvant treatment protocols display enhanced ability to downstage advanced tumors, increasing candidates for potentially curative surgery. Conversely, putative benefits of neoadjuvant treatment in patients with technically resectable tumors have not been reliably demonstrated and its optimal indications remain highly controversial.

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Long-term oncologic outcomes after standard resection

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection is the only curative option in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Little is known about the oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. This bi-institutional study aimed to examine the long-term oncologic results of standard laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy in a large cohort of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

From January 2002 to March 2016, 207 patients underwent standard laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma at Oslo University Hospital-Rikshospitalet (Oslo, Norway) and Asan Medical Centre (Seoul, Republic of Korea). After the exclusion criteria were applied (distant metastases at operation, conversion to an open operation, loss to follow-up), 186 patients were eligible for the analysis. Perioperative and oncologic variables were analyzed for association with recurrence and survival.

RESULTS

Median overall and recurrence-free survivals were 32 and 16 months, while 5-year overall and recurrence-free survival rates were estimated to be 38.2% and 35.9%, respectively. Ninety-six (52%) patients developed recurrence: 56 (30%) extrapancreatic, 27 (15%) locoregional, and 13 (7%) combined locoregional and extrapancreatic. Thirty-seven (19.9%) patients had early recurrence (within 6 months of operation). In the multivariable analysis, tumor size >3 cm and no adjuvant chemotherapy were associated with early recurrence (P = .017 and P = .015, respectively). The Cox regression model showed that tumor size >3 cm and lymphovascular invasion were independent predictors of decreased recurrence-free and overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Standard laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy is associated with satisfactory long-term oncologic outcomes in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Several risk factors, such as tumor size >3 cm, no adjuvant chemotherapy, and lymphovascular invasion, are linked to poor prognosis after standard laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy.

The endoscopist's role in the diagnosis and management of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal malignancies with little improvement in survival over the past several decades in spite of advances in imaging, risk factor identification, surgical technique and chemotherapy. This disappointing outcome is mainly due to failures to make an early diagnosis. In fact, the majority of the patients present with inoperable advanced stages of the disease. Though some of the new tumor markers are promising, we are still in search of the one that has a high sensitivity and accuracy, yet is inexpensive and easy to obtain. The paradigm of management has shifted from up-front surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy to neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgery, especially for borderline resectable cancers and even for some resectable cancers. In this article, we will critically assess the limitations of tumor markers and review the advancements in endoscopic techniques in the management of pancreatic cancer.

Early Recurrence and Omission of Adjuvant Therapy after Pancreaticoduodenectomy Argue against a Surgery-First Approach

BACKGROUND

Sequencing therapy for patients with periampullary malignancy is controversial. Clinical trial data report high rates of adjuvant therapy completion, though contemporary, real-world rates remain incomplete. We sought to identify patients who failed to receive adjuvant therapy and those at risk for early recurrence (ER) who might benefit most from neoadjuvant therapy (NT).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 201 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary malignancies between 1999 and 2015; patients receiving NT were excluded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of failure to receive adjuvant therapy and ER (within 6 months) as the primary end points.

RESULTS

The median age at the time of surgery was 65.5 years (interquartile range 57-74 years). The majority of tumors were pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (76.6 %), and 71.6 % of patients received adjuvant therapy after resection. Univariate predictors of failure to undergo adjuvant therapy were advanced age, age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index, operative transfusion, reoperation, length of stay, and 30- to 90-day readmissions (all p < 0.05). Advanced age, specifically among patients >70 years, persisted as a significant preoperative predictor on multivariate analysis (p < 0.01). Patients who failed to receive adjuvant therapy and/or developed ER had significantly worse overall survival rates compared to all other patients (27.8 vs. 9.7 months; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately one-third of surgery-first patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy at our institution did not receive adjuvant therapy and/or demonstrated ER. This substantial subset of patients may particularly benefit from NT, ensuring completion of multimodal therapy and/or avoiding futile surgical intervention.

Trends in Receipt and Timing of Multimodality Therapy in Early-Stage Pancreatic Cancer

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic cancer is considered a systemic disease at presentation. Therefore, multimodality therapy with surgical resection and chemotherapy is the standard of care for locoregional disease. We described treatment patterns and time trends with regard to age and treatment center in the receipt of multimodality therapy.

METHODS

We used the National Cancer Data Base to identify patients ≥18 years old with stage I and II pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Treatment was defined as no treatment, resection only, chemotherapy only, or multimodality therapy, which consisted of both chemotherapy (neoadjuvant or adjuvant) and resection. Trends in the receipt and type of treatment were compared.

RESULTS

Of 39,441 patients, 22.8% of patients received no treatment, 18.5% received chemotherapy only, 23.0% underwent surgical resection alone, and 35.8% of patients received multimodality therapy. Receipt of multimodality therapy increased from 31.3% in 2004 to 37.9% in 2011 (p < 0.0001). Patients >55 years were less likely to receive multimodality therapy (56-64 years: OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.78-0.89; 65-75: OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.55-0.65; ≥76: OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.16-0.19 compared to patients 18-55). Compared to community hospitals, patients treated at an NCI-designated center were more likely to receive multimodality therapy (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.46-1.81) and, if they received multimodality therapy, delivery of chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant compared to adjuvant setting (OR 2.82, 95% CI 2.00-3.98).

CONCLUSION

Despite increased use of multimodality therapy, it remains underutilized in all patients and especially in older patients. Receipt of multimodality therapy and neoadjuvant therapy is highly dependent on treatment at NCI-designated cancer centers.

Outcomes of resected pancreatic cancer in patients age ≥70

OBJECTIVE

To determine outcomes of patients ≥70 years with resected pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

A study was conducted to identify pancreatic cancer patients ≥70 years who underwent surgery for pancreatic carcinoma from 2000 to 2012. Patients were excluded if they had neoadjuvant therapy. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

We identified 112 patients with a median follow-up of surviving patients of 36 months. The median patient age was 77 years. The median and 5 year OS was 20.5 months and 19%, respectively. Univariate analysis (UVA) showed a significant correlation for increased mortality with N1 (P=0.03) as well as post-op CA19-9 >90 (P<0.001), with a trend towards decreased mortality with adjuvant chemoradiation (P=0.08). Multivariate analysis (MVA) showed a statistically significant increased mortality associated with N1 (P=0.008), post-op CA19-9 >90 (P=0.002), while adjuvant chemoradiation (P=0.04) was associated with decreased mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

These data show that in patients ≥70, nodal status, post-op CA19-9, and adjuvant chemoradiation, were associated with OS. The data suggests that outcomes of patients ≥70 years who undergo upfront surgical resection are not inferior to younger patients.

Use of neoadjuvant therapy in patients 75 years of age and older with pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Treatment sequencing in older patients is difficult because of concomitant comorbidities and often decreasing performance status. The present study sought to examine the effect of neoadjuvant therapy and pancreatic surgery in older patients with resectable or borderline-resectable (BLR pancreatic cancer (PC).

METHODS

Patients with resectable or BLR PC treated with neoadjuvant therapy were classified as older (≥ 75 years) or younger (<75 years).

RESULTS

Neoadjuvant therapy was initiated in 246 patients; 210 (85%) younger than 75 years and 36 (15%) older. Older patients had a greater median Charlson comorbidity index (CCI): 6 vs 4 (P < .01). Completion of all intended therapy (neoadjuvant therapy and surgery) occurred in 177 (72%) of the 246 patients; 153 (73%) of the 210 younger and 24 (67%) of the 36 older patients (P = .43). Failure to complete all therapy was associated with BLR clinical stage (odds ratio [OR] 0.26, P = .001), increased posttreatment/preoperative serum levels of CA19-9 (OR 0.27, 95% confidence interval 0.14-0.53), and CCI ≥ 6 (OR 0.44, 95% confidence interval 0.22-0.86). Median overall survival for all study patients was 26.1 and 19.7 months (P = .13) for younger and older patients, respectively. Of the 177 patients who completed all therapy, the difference in survival between younger and older patients was not statistically significant (36.5 months vs 27.2 months, P = .47).

CONCLUSION

Failure to complete neoadjuvant therapy and eventual pancreatic resection is associated with BLR stage, increased posttreatment/preoperative CA19-9, and CCI ≥ 6, but not older age. Older patients who completed neoadjuvant therapy and underwent resection experienced a survival benefit compared with those who did not complete all intended therapy. Balancing the toxicity of sequential therapies with their cumulative effect on tolerance and risk for pancreatic surgery will be the key to developing optimal treatment sequencing in older patients with PC.

Trends in the use of pre-operative radiation for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas in the United States

BACKGROUND

The benefit and timing of radiation therapy (RT) for patients undergoing a resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains unclear. This study identifies trends in the use of radiation over a 10-year period and factors associated with the use of pre-operative radiation, in particular.

METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registry was used to identify patients aged ≥18 years with pancreatic adenocarcinoma who underwent a surgical resection between 2000 and 2010. Logistic regression was used to identify time trends and factors associated with the use of pre-operative radiation.

RESULTS

The overall use of radiation decreased with time among the 8474 patients who met the inclusion criteria. However, the use of pre-operative radiation increased from 1.8% to 3.9% (P ≤ 0.05). Factors significantly associated with receipt of pre-operative radiation were younger age, treatment in more recent years and having an advanced T-stage tumour. The 5-year hazard of death was significantly less for those who received pre-operative radiation versus surgery alone [hazard ratio (HR) 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55-0.74] and for those who received post-operative radiation versus surgery alone (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.65-0.73).

DISCUSSION

The use of pre-operative radiation significantly increased during the study period. However, the overall use of pre-operative radiation therapy remains low in spite of the potential benefits.