Sustained Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer Predicts Progression and Survival

Baseline Characteristics and Use of Pretherapeutic 18 F-Fluorodeoxyglucose-PET for Pancreatic Cancer

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive and lethal malignancy. Surgical resection is the only curative modality combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy to improve survival. Given the limitations of traditional responses such as cross-sectional imaging (CT/MRI) or tumor markers, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), the 2023 National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines included 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET as an adjunct to assess response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. There are common misconceptions on the metabolic activity (tumor avidity) in PDAC so we aimed to describe the baseline characteristics and use of FDG-PET in a cohort of treatment-naive patients with PDAC.

STUDY DESIGN

A single-center retrospective study was conducted capturing all biopsy-proven, treatment-naive patients with PDAC who underwent either baseline FDG-PET/CT or FDG-PET/MRI imaging between 2008 and 2023. Baseline FDG-PET characteristics were collected, including primary tumors' maximum standardized uptake value defined as metabolic activity (FDG uptake) of tumor compared with surrounding pancreatic parenchymal background, and the identification of extrapancreatic metastatic disease.

RESULTS

We identified 1,095 treatment-naive patients with PDAC who underwent baseline FDG-PET imaging at diagnosis. CA19-9 was elevated in 76% of patients. Overall, 96.3% (1,054) of patients had FDG-avid tumors with a median maximum standardized uptake value of 6.4. FDG-PET also identified suspicious extrapancreatic metastatic lesions in 50% of patients, with a higher proportion (p < 0.001) in PET/MRI (59.9%) vs PET/CT (44.3%). After controlling for CA19-9 elevation, PET/MRI was superior in detection of extrapancreatic lesions compared with PET/CT.

CONCLUSIONS

FDG-PET has significant use in PDAC as a baseline imaging modality earlier neoadjuvant therapy given the majority of tumors are FDG-avid. FDG-PET can identify additional extrapancreatic suspicious lesions allowing for optimal initial staging, with PET/MRI having increased sensitivity over PET/CT.

Effects of tumor marker regression load score on long-term prognosis of gastric cancer patients undergoing radical surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

The effects of the dynamics of serum tumor markers (CA72-4, CEA, CA19-9, CA125 and AFP) before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) on the prognosis of gastric cancer(GC) patients remain unclear.

METHODS

The training set contained 334 GC patients from Fujian Medical University Union Hospital (FJMUUH) and 113 GC patients in Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital (QhUAH) were used as an external validation set. Tumor marker regression load (ΔTMRL) indicator, including ΔCA72-4, ΔCEA, ΔCA19-9, ΔCA125, and ΔAFP, is defined as [(postNACT marker- preNACT marker)/preNACT marker]. Tumor marker regression load score (TMRLS) consists of ΔCA72-4, ΔCEA and ΔCA125. The predictive performance of the nomogram-TMRLS was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve(AUC), decision curve analysis(DCA), and C-index.

RESULTS

Patients from FJMUUH were divided into two groups, TMRLS-low and TMRLS-high, determined by R package maxstat. Survival analysis revealed a higher 3-year overall survival(OS) in the TMRLS-low than in the TMRLS-high group. The TMRLS-high group who received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy(AC) showed a significantly higher 3-year OS rate than those who did not. Multivariate COX regression analysis indicated that TMRLS was an independent prognostic factor for OS. A nomogram for predicting OS based on TMRLS showed a significantly higher C-index and AUC than the ypTNM stage. The above results were also found in the QhUAH external validation cohort.

CONCLUSION

TMRLS is a novel independent prognostic factor for GC who underwent NACT and a radical gastrectomy. Furthermore, the TMRLS-high group, who received postoperative AC, may achieve better survival outcomes. Notably, the predictive performance of the nomogram-TMRLS significantly outperformed that of the ypTNM stage.

Survival benefit of neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX for patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer

Backgrounds/Aims

While patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) are a target population for neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), formal guidelines for neoadjuvant therapy are lacking. We assessed the perioperative and oncological outcomes in patients with BRPC undergoing NAC with FOLFIRINOX for patients undergoing upfront surgery (US).

Methods

The AHPBA criteria for borderline resectability and/or a CA19-9 level > 100 μ/mL defined borderline resectable tumors retrieved from a prospectively populated institutional registry from 2007 to 2020. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) at 1 and 3 years. A Cox Proportional Hazard model based on intention to treat was used. A receiver-operator characteristics (ROC) curve was constructed to assess the discriminatory capability of the use of CA19-9 > 100 μ/mL to predict resectability and mortality.

Results

Forty BRPC patients underwent NAC, while 46 underwent US. The median OS with NAC was 19.8 months (interquartile range [IQR], 10.3-44.24) vs. 10.6 months (IQR, 6.37-17.6) with US. At 1 year, 70% of the NAC group and 41.3% of the US group survived (p = 0.008). At 3 years, 42.5 % of the NAC group and 10.9% of the US group survived (p = 0.001). NAC significantly reduced the hazard of death (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.07-0.54; p = 0.001). CA19-9 > 100 μ/mL showed poor discrimination in predicting mortality, but was a moderate predictor of resectability.

Conclusions

We found a survival benefit of NAC with FOLFIRINOX for BRPC. Greater pre-treatment of CA19-9 and multivessel involvement on initial imaging were associated with progression of the disease following NAC.

Long-term outcomes of neoadjuvant gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel, and S1 (GAS) in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer with arterial contact: Results from a phase II trial

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

This study reports the long-term results of a phase II trial evaluating the clinical efficacy of neoadjuvant gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel, and S1 (GAS) in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer with arterial contact (BRPC-A).

METHODS

A multicenter, single-arm, phase II trial was conducted. Patients received six cycles of GAS and patients without progressive disease were intended for R0 resection.

RESULTS

Of the 47 patients, 45 (96%) underwent pancreatectomy. At the time of this analysis, all patients were updated with no loss to follow-up. A total of 30 patients died, while the remaining 17 patients were followed for a median of 68.1 months. The updated median overall survival (OS) was 41.0 months, with 2- and 5-year OS rates of 68.0% and 44.6%, respectively. Multivariate analysis in the preoperative model showed that a tumor diameter reduction rate ≥10% and a CA19-9 reduction rate ≥95% after neoadjuvant chemotherapy remained independently associated with favorable survival. In the postoperative multivariate model, no lymph node metastasis, no major surgical complications, and completion of adjuvant chemotherapy were independently associated with improved OS.

CONCLUSIONS

This long-term evaluation of the neoadjuvant GAS trial demonstrated the high efficacy of the regimen, suggesting that it is a promising treatment option for patients with BRPC-A.

Minimum and Optimal CA19-9 Response After Two Months Induction Chemotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Nationwide Multicenter Study

OBJECTIVE

This nationwide multicenter study aimed to define clinically relevant thresholds of relative serum CA19-9 response after 2 months of induction chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC).

BACKGROUND

CA19-9 is seen as leading biomarker for response evaluation in patients with LAPC, but early clinically useful cut-offs are lacking.

METHODS

All consecutive patients with LAPC after 4 cycles (m)FOLFIRINOX or 2 cycles gemcitabine-nab-paclitaxel induction chemotherapy (±radiotherapy) with CA19-9 ≥5 U/mL at baseline were analyzed (2015-2019). The association of CA19-9 response with median OS (mOS) was evaluated for different CA19-9 cut-off points. Minimum and optimal CA19-9 response were established via log-rank test. Predictors for OS were analyzed using COX regression analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 212 patients were included, of whom 42 (19.8%) underwent resection. Minimum CA19-9 response demonstrating a clinically significant median OS difference (12.7 vs. 19.6 months) was seen at ≥40% CA19-9 decrease. The optimal cutoff for CA19-9 response was ≥60% decrease (21.7 vs. 14.0 mo, P =0.021). Only for patients with elevated CA19-9 levels at baseline (n=184), CA19-9 decrease ≥60% [hazard ratio (HR)=0.59, 95% CI, 0.36-0.98, P =0.042] was independently associated with prolonged OS, as were SBRT (HR=0.42, 95% CI, 0.25-0.70; P =0.001), and resection (HR=0.25, 95% CI, 0.14-0.46, P <0.001), and duration of chemotherapy (HR=0.75, 95% CI, 0.69-0.82, P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

CA19-9 decrease of ≥60% following induction chemotherapy as optimal response cut-off in patients with LAPC is an independent predictor for OS when CA19-9 is increased at baseline. Furthermore, ≥40% is the minimum cut-off demonstrating survival benefit. These cut-offs may be used when discussing treatment strategies during early response evaluation.

Preoperative chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical decision-making in patients with borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Surgical resection combined with systemic chemotherapy is the cornerstone of treatment for patients with localized pancreatic cancer. Upfront surgery is considered suboptimal in cases with extensive vascular involvement, which can be classified as either borderline resectable pancreatic cancer or locally advanced pancreatic cancer. In these patients, FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy is currently used as preoperative chemotherapy and is eventually combined with radiotherapy. Thus, more patients might reach 5-year overall survival. Patient selection for chemotherapy, radiotherapy and subsequent surgery is based on anatomical, biological and conditional parameters. Current guidelines and clinical practices vary considerably regarding preoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy, response evaluation, and indications for surgery. In this Review, we provide an overview of the clinical evidence regarding disease staging, preoperative therapy, response evaluation and surgery in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer or locally advanced pancreatic cancer. In addition, a clinical work-up is proposed based on the available evidence and guidelines. We identify knowledge gaps and outline a proposed research agenda.

Utility of contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography for prediction of pathological response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVES

Contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography (CH-EUS) plays an important role in the diagnosis of pancreatic lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether CH-EUS is useful for predicting the treatment efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) determined by pathological response.

METHODS

Patients who underwent CH-EUS before chemotherapy and surgical resection were divided into two groups according to poor (group-P) or rich tumor vascularity (group-R) determined by enhancement pattern on early- and late-phase CH-EUS. The pathological response to chemotherapy was categorized according to Evans' classification. Pathological analysis showing tumor cell destruction (>50 %) defined a good response.

RESULTS

Early-phase CH-EUS classified 44 patients into group-R and 50 into group-P, whereas late-phase CH-EUS classified 10 into group-R and 84 into group-P. Early-phase CH-EUS classification resulted in significantly higher numbers of patients with a good response in the rich group (n = 19) than in the poor group (n = 4; P = 0.0015). Multivariate analysis showed that assignment to the rich group was the strongest independent factor associated with chemosensitivity (P = 0.006, hazard ratio = 5.66, 95 % confidence interval: 1.17-19.27). In resectable patients, the enhancement pattern was the only independent factor associated with chemosensitivity (group-P vs. group-R, P = 0.003; HR [95 % CI], 14.59 [1.38-154.38]). Late-phase CH-EUS did not reveal a significant difference between group-P and group-R.

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluation of vascular pattern on CH-EUS could be useful for predicting the efficacy of NAC in patients with pancreatic cancer. The enhancement pattern on CH-EUS could be a one of the useful features for determining NAC indications in resectable pancreatic cancer patients.

Elevated CA 19-9 is associated with worse survival in patients with resected ampullary adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The prognostic utility of Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) and Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) in ampullary adenocarcinoma is unclear. We sought to evaluate the association between initial tumor marker levels and survival in patients with resected ampullary adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

This was a single-institution, retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for ampullary adenocarcinoma from 1999 to 2021. CA 19-9 was assessed after biliary decompression. Contal and O'Quigley method determined optimal biomarker cutoff levels which were correlated with overall survival (OS) using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox Proportional Hazards Regression.

RESULTS

A total of 180 patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy. Patients with CA 19-9 >100 U/mL had a shorter median OS (28 vs. 132 months, p < 0.001) compared to patients with CA 19-9 ≤ 100 U/mL at diagnosis. Survival was similar between pancreaticobiliary and intestinal tumor subtypes when CA 19-9 was >100 U/mL (OS:25 vs. 33 months, p = 0.415). By Cox regression analysis, CA 19-9 >100 U/mL was independently associated with worse OS (HR 2.8, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative CA 19-9 >100 U/mL was associated with shorter OS in patients with resected ampullary adenocarcinoma. CA 19-9 may be useful when counseling patients about prognosis or when considering the role of perioperative systemic therapy.

Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 Response to Initial Adjuvant Chemotherapy Predicts Survival and Failure Pattern of Resected Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma but Not Which Patients Are Suited for Additional Adjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy: From a Prospective Randomized Study

PURPOSE

The predictive value of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) for adjuvant chemo(radiation) therapy of resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is undefined.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We analyzed CA19-9 levels in patients with resected PDAC in a prospective randomized trial of adjuvant chemotherapy with or without additional chemoradiation therapy (CRT). Patients with postoperative CA19-9 ≤92.5 U/mL and serum bilirubin ≤2 mg/dL were randomized to 2 arms: patients in 1 arm received 6 cycles of gemcitabine, whereas those in the other received 3 cycles of gemcitabine followed by CRT and another 3 cycles of gemcitabine. Serum CA19-9 was measured every 12 weeks. Those who had CA19-9 levels always <3 U/mL were excluded from the exploratory analysis.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-seven patients were enrolled in this randomized trial. Twenty-two patients with CA19-9 levels always ≤3 U/mL were excluded from the analysis. For the 125 participants, median overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival were 23.1 and 12.1 months, respectively, with no significant differences between the study arms. Postresection CA19-9 levels and, to a lesser extent, CA19-9 change predicted OS (P = .040 and .077, respectively). For the 89 patients who completed the initial 3 cycles of adjuvant gemcitabine, the CA19-9 response was significantly correlated with initial failure over the distant site (P = .023) and OS (P = .0022). Despite a trend of less initial failure over the locoregional area (P = .031), neither postoperative CA19-9 level nor CA19-9 response helped to select patients who might have a survival benefit from additional adjuvant CRT.

CONCLUSIONS

CA19-9 response to initial adjuvant gemcitabine predicts survival and distant failure of PDAC after resection; however, it cannot select patients suited for additional adjuvant CRT. Monitoring CA19-9 levels during adjuvant therapy for postoperative patients with PDAC may guide therapeutic decisions to prevent distant failure.

Technical Implications for Surgical Resection in Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains a global health challenge and is predicted to soon become the second leading cause of cancer death in developed countries. Currently, surgical resection in combination with systemic chemotherapy offers the only chance of cure or long-term survival. However, only 20% of cases are diagnosed with anatomically resectable disease. Neoadjuvant treatment followed by highly complex surgical procedures has been studied over the last decade with promising short- and long-term results in patients with locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (LAPC). In recent years, a wide variety of complex surgical techniques that involve extended pancreatectomies, including portomesenteric venous resection, arterial resection, or multi-organ resection, have emerged to optimize local control of the disease and improve postoperative outcomes. Although there are multiple surgical techniques described in the literature to improve outcomes in LAPC, the comprehensive view of these strategies remains underdeveloped. We aim to describe the preoperative surgical planning as well different surgical resections strategies in LAPC after neoadjuvant treatment in an integrated way for selected patients with no other potentially curative option other than surgery.

Analysis of prognostic factors for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: the importance of CA19-9 decrease in patients with elevated pre-chemotherapy CA19-9 levels

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is widely used to treat borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the serum carbohydrate antigen (CA)19-9 response, in association with survival, after four cycles of NAC-gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel.

METHODS

From 2015 to 2018, patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer were treated with NAC. Patients were stratified into two groups after excluding CA19-9 non-secretor: Group L (CA19-9 ≥2 and ≤500 U/mL) and Group H (CA19-9 >500 U/mL). The CA19-9 decrease during NAC was evaluated as a response of NAC and was assessed in association with survival concomitant with other prognosis factors.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven patients were evaluated (Group L: n = 43, Group H: n = 44). In intention-to-treat-based analysis, Group L exhibited significantly better progression-free survival (PFS) than Group H (median PFS: 24 vs 14months). In resection cohort, no correlation was detected between the CA19-9 decrease and survival in Group L. In Group H, the CA19-9 decrease ≤80% was associated with unfavorable survival in multivariate analysis [Hazard ratio: 4.738 (P = 0.007)].

CONCLUSION

In patients with pre-treatment CA19-9 >500 U/mL, the CA19-9 decrease ≤80% was strongly associated with poor survival and new strategy should be reconsidered for these patients.

Prognostic Value of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Carcinoma Followed by Pancreatectomy with Portal Vein Resection and Reconstruction with Venous Allograft

BACKGROUND

Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) represents one of the current research hotspots in the field of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value of NAC in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) followed by pancreatectomy with portal vein (PV) resection and reconstruction with venous allograft (VAG).

METHODS

Medical records of patients with BPRC who underwent pancreatectomy with concomitant PV resection and reconstruction with VAG between April 2013 and March 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Outcomes of patients with and without NAC (NAC, Group 1 vs. non-NAC, Group 2) were compared with focus on R0 resection rates, morbidity, and survival.

RESULTS

Of the 77 patients with pancreatectomy, PV resection and reconstruction with VAG were identified. Overall survival (OS) rates of 0.5-, 1-, and 2-year were 80.5%, 59.7%, and 31.2%, respectively (median survival time, MST, 14 months). Of these, 24 patients (Group 1) underwent operation following received NAC, and the remaining 53 patients did not (Group 2). The R0 resection rate of vascular margin was 100% vs. 84.9% (p = 0.04), respectively. Morbidity of post-operative pancreatic fistula (POPF) was 0% vs. 17.8% (p = 0.07), respectively. The OS of 0.5-, 1- and 2-year and MST of 2 groups were 83.3%, 66.7%, 41.7%, 16 months, and 79.2%, 55.6%, 26.4%, 13 months, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) serum level and postoperative chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors in patients with BRPC after surgery.

CONCLUSION

NAC might improve the R0 resection rate and POPF in patients with BRPC who underwent pancreatectomy with concomitant PV resection and reconstruction with VAG. Survival benefit exists in patients with BRPC who received NAC before pancreatectomy. Postoperative chemotherapy also had a favorable effect on OS of BRPC patients. Elevated CA 19-9 serum level is associated with poor prognosis, even after NAC-combining operation.

FDG-PET Predicts Neoadjuvant Therapy Response and Survival in Borderline Resectable/Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) is used in borderline resectable/locally advanced (BR/LA) pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Anatomic imaging (CT/MRI) poorly predicts response, and biochemical (CA 19-9) markers are not useful (nonsecretors/nonelevated) in many patients. Pathologic response highly predicts survival post-NAT, but is only known postoperatively. Because metabolic imaging (FDG-PET) reveals primary tumor viability, this study aimed to evaluate our experience with preoperative FDG-PET in patients with BR/LA PDAC in predicting NAT response and survival.

METHODS

We reviewed all patients with resected BR/LA PDAC who underwent NAT with FDG-PET within 60 days of resection. Pre- and post-NAT metabolic (FDG-PET) and biochemical (CA 19-9) responses were dichotomized in addition to pathologic responses. We compared post-NAT metabolic and biochemical responses as preoperative predictors of pathologic responses and recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

We identified 202 eligible patients. Post-NAT, 58% of patients had optimization of CA 19-9 levels. Major metabolic and pathologic responses were present in 51% and 38% of patients, respectively. Median RFS and OS times were 21 and 48.7 months, respectively. Metabolic response was superior to biochemical response in predicting pathologic response (area under the curve, 0.86 vs 0.75; P<.001). Metabolic response was the only univariate preoperative predictor of OS (odds ratio, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.13-0.40), and was highly correlated (P=.001) with pathologic response as opposed to biochemical response alone. After multivariate adjustment, metabolic response was the single largest independent preoperative predictor (P<.001) for pathologic response (odds ratio, 43.2; 95% CI, 16.9-153.2), RFS (hazard ratio, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.2-0.6), and OS (hazard ratio, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.1-0.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with post-NAT resected BR/LA PDAC, FDG-PET highly predicts pathologic response and survival, superior to biochemical responses alone. Given the poor ability of anatomic imaging or biochemical markers to assess NAT responses in these patients, FDG-PET is a preoperative metric of NAT efficacy, thereby allowing potential therapeutic alterations and surgical treatment decisions. We suggest that FDG-PET should be an adjunct and recommended modality during the NAT phase of care for these patients.

Adaptive Dynamic Therapy and Survivorship for Operable Pancreatic Cancer

Importance

Neoadjuvant therapy is increasingly used in localized pancreatic carcinoma, and survival is correlated with carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) levels and histopathologic response following neoadjuvant therapy. With several regimens now available, the choice of chemotherapy could be best dictated by response to neoadjuvant therapy (as measured by CA19-9 levels and/or pathologic response), a strategy defined herein as adaptive dynamic therapy.

Objective

To evaluate the association of adaptive dynamic therapy with oncologic outcomes in patients with surgically resected pancreatic cancer.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study included patients with localized pancreatic cancer who were treated with either gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel or fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX) preoperatively between 2010 and 2019 at a high-volume tertiary care academic center. Participants were identified from a prospectively maintained database and had a median follow-up of 49 months. Data were analyzed from October 17 to November 24, 2020.

Exposures

The adaptive dynamic therapy group included 219 patients who remained on or switched to an alternative regimen as dictated by CA19-9 response and for whom the adjuvant regimen was selected based on CA19-9 and/or pathologic response. The nonadaptive dynamic therapy group included 103 patients who had their chemotherapeutic regimen selected independent of CA19-9 and/or tumoral response.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Prognostic implications of dynamic perioperative therapy assessed through Kaplan-Meier analysis, Cox regression, and inverse probability weighted estimators.

Results

A total of 322 consecutive patients (mean [SD] age, 65.1 [9] years; 162 [50%] women) were identified. The adaptive dynamic therapy group, compared with the nonadaptive dynamic therapy group, had a more pronounced median (IQR) decrease in CA19-9 levels (-80% [-92% to -56%] vs -45% [-81% to -13%]; P < .001), higher incidence of complete or near-complete tumoral response (25 [12%] vs 2 [2%]; P = .007), and lower median (IQR) number of lymph node metastasis (1 [0 to 4] vs 2 [0 to 4]; P = .046). Overall survival was significantly improved in the dynamic group compared with the nondynamic group (38.7 months [95% CI, 34.0 to 46.7 months] vs 26.5 months [95% CI, 23.5 to 32.9 months]; P = .03), and on adjusted analysis, dynamic therapy was independently associated with improved survival (hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.99; P = .04). On inverse probability weighted analysis of 320 matched patients, the average treatment effect of dynamic therapy was to increase overall survival by 11.1 months (95% CI, 1.5 to 20.7 months; P = .02).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study that sought to evaluate the role of adaptive dynamic therapy in localized pancreatic cancer, selecting a chemotherapeutic regimen based on response to preoperative therapy was associated with improved survival. These findings support an individualized and in vivo assessment of response to perioperative therapy in pancreatic cancer.

S-1 Maintenance Therapy After First-Line Treatment With Nab-Paclitaxel Plus S-1 for Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Real-World Study

Background

In our previous phase II study, nab-paclitaxel plus S-1 (NPS) showed encouraging objective response rate (ORR) as first-line treatment for advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (APAC). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of S-1 maintenance after NPS in APAC and to explore factors predicting survival benefits when using S-1 maintenance.

Methods

Between 2014 and 2018 a total of 182 patients with APAC, who were primarily treated with NPS, were included. For patients without progression or with treatment discontinuation due to any reasons within 4 months during NPS treatment, S-1 monotherapy was administrable as maintenance therapy at the physicians’ discretion based on the patients’ preference and performance status. Efficacy and safety of S-1 maintenance were investigated.

Results

In 123 patients without progression within 4 months during NPS treatment, 74 received S-1 maintenance and had median progression-free survival of 9.6 months and median overall survival of 16.7 months. Multivariable analysis showed that in patients receiving S-1 maintenance after first-line NPS therapy, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status score of 0, non-metastatic disease, and complete or partial response as best response to NPS chemotherapy were independently associated with better survival. The most common all-grade hematological and non-hematological adverse events were neutropenia (82.4%) and peripheral neurotoxicity (66.2%), respectively, and the most common ≥Grade 3 hematological and non-hematological adverse events were neutropenia (40.5%) and peripheral neurotoxicity (6.8%), respectively in patients who received S-1 maintenance.

Conclusions

Our real-world study showed that S-1 maintenance after tumor response or stable disease induced by first-line NPS treatment was effective and well-tolerated for some patients with APAC, which offers a promising alternative treatment strategy with encouraging survival for APAC.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Switch in Borderline Resectable/Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is an integral part of preoperative treatment for patients with borderline resectable/locally advanced (BR/LA) pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The identification of a chemotherapeutic regimen that is both effective and tolerable is critical for NAC to be of oncologic benefit. After initial first-line (FL) NAC, some patients have lack of response or therapeutic toxicities precluding further treatment with the same regimen; optimal decision making regarding this patient population is unclear. Chemotherapy switch (CS) may allow for a larger proportion of patients to undergo curative-intent resection after NAC.

METHODS

We reviewed our surgical database for patients undergoing combinatorial NAC for BR/LA PDAC. Variant histologic exocrine carcinomas, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm-associated PDAC, and patients without research consent were excluded.

RESULTS

Overall, 468 patients with BR/LA PDAC receiving FL chemotherapy were reviewed, of whom 70% (329/468) continued with FL chemotherapy followed by surgical resection. The remaining 30% (139/468) underwent CS, with 72% (100/139) of CS patients going on to curative-intent surgical resection. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were not significantly different between the resected FL and CS cohorts (30.0 vs. 19.1 months, p = 0.13, and 41.4 vs. 36.4 months, p = 0.94, respectively) and OS was significantly worse in those undergoing CS without subsequent resection (19 months, p < 0.0001). On multivariable analysis, carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 and pathologic treatment responses were predictors of RFS and OS.

CONCLUSION

CS in patients undergoing NAC for BR/LA pancreatic cancer does not incur oncologic detriment. The incorporation of CS into NAC treatment sequencing may allow a greater proportion of patients to proceed to curative-intent surgery.

Impact of neoadjuvant intensity-modulated radiation therapy on borderline resectable pancreatic cancer with arterial abutment; a prospective, open-label, phase II study in a single institution

Background

Borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) is a category of pancreatic cancer that is anatomically widely spread, and curative resection is uncommon with upfront surgery. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a form of radiation therapy that delivers precise radiation to a tumor while minimizing the dose to surrounding normal tissues. Here, we conducted a phase 2 study to estimate the curability and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy using IMRT (NACIMRT) for patients with BRPC with arterial abutment (BRPC-A).

Methods

A total of 49 BRPC-A patients were enrolled in this study and were treated at our hospital according to the study protocol between June 2013 and March 2021. The primary endpoint was microscopically margin-negative resection (R0) rates and we subsequently analyzed safety, histological effect of the treatment as well as survivals among patients with NACIMRT.

Results

Twenty-nine patients (59.2%) received pancreatectomy after NACIMRT. The R0 rate in resection patients was 93.1% and that in the whole cohort was 55.1%. No mortality was encountered. Local therapeutic effects as assessed by Evans classification showed good therapeutic effect (Grade 1, 3.4%; Grade 2a, 31.0%; Grade 2b, 48.3%; Grade 3, 3.4%; Grade 4, 3.4%). Median disease-free survival was 15.5 months. Median overall survival in the whole cohort was 35.1 months. The only independent prognostic pre-NACIMRT factor identified was serum carbohydrate antigen 19–9 (CA19-9) > 400 U/ml before NACIMRT.

Conclusions

NACIMRT showed preferable outcome without significant operative morbidity for BRPC-A patients. NACIMRT contributes to good local tumor control, but a high initial serum CA19-9 implies poor prognosis even after neoadjuvant treatment.

Trial Registration

UMIN-CTR Clinical Trial: https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000011776

Registration number: UMIN000010113.

Date of first registration: 01/03/2013,

Predictive factors of survival in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer who received neoadjuvant therapy

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to develop the prognostic score (PS) based on clinical factors to stratify the prognosis in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy (NAT).

METHODS

This retrospective study included 57 BRPC patients who received NAT between April 2012 and December 2017. A score was assigned to each prognostic factor available before and after NAT, according to their β coefficients.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis identified the following six prognostic factors, and scores were assigned as follows: being a familial PC patient (HR 4.98, p = 0.029), post-NAT CA19-9 ≥37 U/ml (HR 3.08, p = 0.020), reduction rate of CA19-9 <70% (HR 3.71, p = 0.008), pre-NAT neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥2.8 (HR 4.32, p = 0.003), and non-resection (HR 3.98, p = 0.009) were scored as 1; and post-NAT albumin-to-globulin ratio <1.33 (HR 8.31, p < 0.001) was scored as 2. The PS was calculated by summing the scores assigned to each prognostic factor. Patients were then classified into three risk groups (low- [0-1 points], moderate- [2-3 points], and high-risk [4-6 points] groups). Median overall survival in the low-, moderate-, and high-risk groups were not reached, 37.5 months, and 11.8 months, respectively, and there were significant differences in survival among the three groups (p < 0.01 in each group).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that the PS may be useful for predicting the prognosis of BRPC patients treated with NAT.

Duration of Reduced CA19-9 Levels Is a Better Prognostic Factor Than Its Rate of Reduction for Unresectable Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Simple Summary

Upon diagnosis, about 35% of patients have initially unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The prognosis of these patients is still poor. Chemotherapy alone has been generally accepted as a standard therapeutic approach. However, clinical decision-making processes have not been established for aggressive treatments such as surgery and chemoradiotherapy in patients with a response and stable case of initially unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer. In the current study, we evaluated the reduction rate and duration of carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 within 6 months as long-term survival. Cases of over 44% CA 19-9 reduction only one month from the baseline after treatment were not significantly associated with overall survival. On the other hand, more than 3 months of over 44% CA 19-9 reduction was significantly associated with prognosis, which is the same as the occurrence of distant metastasis. Multidisciplinary treatment focus on local treatment is expected in these selected patients.

Abstract

A decrease in carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 levels has been proposed as a prognostic marker for survival and recurrence in patients with pancreatic cancer. We evaluated the association between duration of reduced CA 19-9 levels during 6 months after treatment and long-term survival for 79 patients with unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). We calculated the differences between pretreatment and monthly CA19-9 levels. We categorized 71 patients with decreases in CA19-9 levels into three groups based on the duration of these reduced levels (>2, >3, and >4 months). The cut-off level for long-term (more than 2 years) survival was identified as a 44% reduction from the baseline, using a ROC curve. A reduction duration >2 months was not associated with overall survival (p = 0.1), while >3 months was significantly associated with survival (p =.04). In multivariate analysis, a reduction duration >3 months predicted a good long-term prognosis (odds ratio = 5.75; 95% confidence interval = 1.47–22.36; p < 0.01). In patients with unresectable LAPC, the duration of reduced CA19-9 levels for more than 3 months, rather than the rate of reduction in CA19-9 levels, during 6 months after treatment was significantly associated with good prognosis.

Neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Opportunities for personalized cancer care

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy that is best treated in a multidisciplinary fashion using surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Adjuvant chemotherapy has shown to have a significant survival benefit in patients with resected PDAC. However, up to 50% of patients fail to receive adjuvant chemotherapy due to postoperative complications, poor patient performance status or early disease progression. In order to ensure the delivery of chemotherapy, an alternative strategy is to administer systemic treatment prior to surgery. Precision oncology refers to the application of diverse strategies to target therapies specific to characteristics of a patient’s cancer. While traditionally emphasized in selecting targeted therapies based on molecular, genetic, and radiographic biomarkers for patients with metastatic disease, the neoadjuvant setting is a prime opportunity to utilize personalized approaches. In this article, we describe the current evidence for the use of neoadjuvant therapy (NT) and highlight unique opportunities for personalized care in patients with PDAC undergoing NT.

A review of response in neoadjuvant therapy for exocrine pancreatic cancer

Despite overall advances in cancer therapy, patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma continue to have a poor prognosis. While adjuvant therapy is still considered standard, there is mounting evidence that neoadjuvant therapy confers similar benefits in patients with locally advanced disease. The primary measures of response are radiographic, biochemical, margin status, and pathologic. Given overall low response rates and the need for new treatment strategies, standard metrics remain important to the investigation of new systemic agents.

Pancreatectomy with Vascular Resection After Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX: Who Survives More Than a Year After Surgery?

BACKGROUND

Experienced pancreatic surgeons, for whom complexity is not an issue, must decide at the end of neoadjuvant therapy whether to continue or discontinue surgery, when pancreatectomy with vascular resection is planned in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

OBJECTIVE

Our study aimed to determine preoperative factors that can predict short postoperative survival in such situations.

METHODS

Overall, 105 patients with borderline or locally advanced PDAC received neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX (followed by chemoradiation in 22% of patients) and underwent pancreatectomy with segmental venous and/or arterial resection at two high-volume centers. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) of < 1 year after surgery for patients who did not die from the surgery.

RESULTS

Tumors were classified as borderline in 78% of cases and locally advanced in 22% of cases. Mean CA19-9 at diagnosis was 934 U/mL, which significantly decreased to 213 U/mL (p < 0.01) after a median of six cycles of FOLFIRINOX. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed most often (76%). The vast majority of patients underwent venous resection (92%), and a simultaneous arterial resection was performed in 16 patients (15%). The severe morbidity rate and 30- and 90-day mortality rates were 21%, 8.5%, and 10.4%, respectively. The median OS after surgery was 23 months. In the multivariate analysis, preoperative CA19-9 ≥ 450 U/mL was the only preoperative factor independently associated with OS of < 1 year (p = 0.044).

CONCLUSION

The preoperative CA19-9 value should be considered in the clinical decision-making process when complex vascular resection is required.