Localized adenocarcinoma of the pancreas: the rationale for preoperative chemoradiation

Phase I/II Trial of Neoadjuvant Oregovomab-based Chemoimmunotherapy Followed by Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy and Nelfinavir For Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Cancer antigen (CA)-125 influences progression, metastasis, and outcomes in pancreatic cancer. This phase I/II trial (NCT01959672) evaluated the safety, efficacy, and immunologic correlates of chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) with oregovomab (anti-CA-125), followed by stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) with the radiosensitizer nelfinavir.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Following imaging, pathologic confirmation, and staging laparoscopy, subjects received three 3-week cycles of CIT (gemcitabine/leucovorin/fluorouracil/oregovomab). Thereafter, nelfinavir was delivered (1250 mg bid) for 5 weeks, with SBRT (40 Gy/5 fractions) occurring during the third week of nelfinavir. Following another cycle of CIT, pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed if resectable. Three more cycles of CIT were then delivered (total 7 cycles). In subjects with high (≥10 U/mL) CA-125, oregovomab (2 mg) was administered for 7 total doses (3 pre-SBRT, 1 between SBRT and resection, and 3 postoperatively). The enzyme-linked immunospot assay evaluated the development of CA-125-specific CD8 T-lymphocytes.

RESULTS

The trial was prematurely closed because gemcitabine/leucovorin/fluorouracil was replaced by FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel as the standard of care. Median follow-up was 13 months. Of 11 enrolled patients, 10 had high CA-125; 1 patient suffered an unexpected cardiac-related death, so 9 subjects received oregovomab. Ten received SBRT and 4 underwent resection. Overall, 6/11 patients experienced any grade ≥3 event. The median survival and time to progression were 13 and 8.6 months, respectively. Five patients had samples available for immunospot testing, of whom 2 (40%) developed CA-125-specific CD8 T-lymphocytes.

CONCLUSION

A combined pancreatic cancer multimodality approach using CIT and radiosensitized radiotherapy is feasible and safe; delivery of immunotherapy can lead to T-cell immunity. Re-evaluation with modern systemic paradigms is recommended.

Phase I trial of concurrent stereotactic body radiotherapy and nelfinavir for locally advanced borderline or unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma

INTRODUCTION

The HIV protease inhibitor nelfinavir (NFV) displays notable radiosensitizing effects. There have been no studies evaluating combined stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and NFV for borderline/unresectable pancreatic cancer. The primary objective of this phase I trial (NCT01068327) was to determine the maximum tolerated SBRT/NFV dose, and secondarily evaluate outcomes.

METHODS

Following initial imaging, pathologic confirmation, and staging laparoscopy, subjects initially received three 3-week cycles of gemcitabine/leucovorin/fluorouracil; patients without radiologic progression received 5-fraction SBRT/NFV. Dose escalation was as follows: (1) 25 Gy/625 mg BID ×3wks; (2) 25 Gy/1250 mg BID ×3wks; (3) 30 Gy/1250 mg BID ×3wks; (4) 35 Gy/1250 mg BID ×3wks; (5) 35 Gy/1250 mg BID ×5wks; and (6) 40 Gy/1250 mg BID ×5wks. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed thereafter if resectable; if not, gemcitabine/leucovorin/fluorouracil was administered.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients enrolled (10/2008-5/2013); 39 received protocol-directed therapy. Sixteen (41%) experienced any grade ≥2 event during and 1 month after SBRT. Four grade 3 and both grade 4 events occurred in a single patient at the initial dose level. 40 Gy/1250 mg BID ×5wks was the maximum tolerated dose. Five patients had late gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 2 superior mesenteric artery pseudo-aneurysm, n = 1 disease progression, n = 1 lower GI tract, n = 1 unknown location). The median overall survival was 14.4 months. Six (15%) patients recurred locally; median local failure-free survival was not reached. The median distant failure-free survival was 11 months, and median all failure-free survival was 10 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent SBRT (40 Gy)/NFV (1250 mg BID) for locally advanced pancreatic cancer is feasible and safe, although careful attention to treatment planning parameters is recommended to reduce the incidence of late gastrointestinal bleeding.

Neoadjuvant Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer: Systematic Review of Postoperative Morbidity, Mortality, and Complications

The purpose of this review was to assess whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy (CRT) result in differential postoperative morbidity and mortality as compared with pancreatic tumor resection surgery alone. Using PRISMA guidelines and the PubMed search engine, we reviewed all prospective phase II trials of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and CRT for pancreatic cancer that examined postoperative morbidities and mortalities. A total of 30 articles were identified, collated, and analyzed. Risks of postoperative complications vary based on trial. With surgery alone, the most common postoperative complications included delayed gastric emptying (DGE) (17% to 24%), pancreatic fistula (10% to 20%), anastomotic leaks (0% to 15%), postoperative bleeding (2% to 13%), and infections/sepsis (17% to 20%). With surgery alone, the mortality was <5%. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed comparable fistula rates (3% to 4%), leaks (3% to 11%), infection (3% to 7%), with mortality 0% to 4% in all but 1 study. CRT for resectable/borderline resectable patients also showed comparable complication rates: DGE (6% to 15%), fistulas (2% to 3%), leaks (3% to 7%), bleeding/hemorrhage (2% to 13%), infections/sepsis (3% to 19%), with 9/13 studies showing a mortality of ≤4%. As compared with initially borderline/resectable tumors, CRT for initially unresectable tumors (despite less data) showed higher complication rates: DGE (13% to 33%), fistulas (3% to 25%), infections/sepsis (3% to 16%). However, the confounding factor of the potentially higher tumor burden as an associative agent remains. The only parameters slightly higher than historical surgery-only complication rates were leaks and bleeding/hemorrhage (13% to 20%). Mortality rates in these patients were consistently 0%, with 2 outliers. Hence, neoadjuvant chemotherapy/CRT is safe from a postoperative complication standpoint, without significant increases in complication rates compared with surgery alone. Resectable and borderline resectable patients have fewer complications as compared with unresectable patients, although data for the latter are lacking.

Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy and Surgery Versus Surgery Alone in Resectable Pancreatic Cancer: A Single-Center Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial Which Failed to Achieve Accrual Targets

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study is to evaluate the usefulness of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in resectable pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

A single-center RCT of patients affected by resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma which included arm A (surgery alone) and arm B (neoadjuvant chemoradiation and surgery). The primary endpoint was R0 resection; the secondary endpoints were toxicity; number of patients who completed the neoadjuvant therapy; radiological and pathological response after chemoradiation; and pTNM stage, postoperative morbidity, mortality, and overall and disease-free survival. A sample size of 32 patients was required for each group.

RESULTS

The study was terminated early, and 38 patients were randomized: 20 in arm A and 18 in arm B. There was no significant difference regarding R0 resection rate in the two groups (intention-to-treat, OR = 1.91, P = 0.489). Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was completed in 14 out of 18 cases (77.8 %) and the radiological and pathological response was efficacious in 72.3 and 90.9 % of cases, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation was feasible, safe, and efficacious, although non-significant results were obtained as a result of the underpowered data due to the difficulty in recruiting patients. Additional multicenter RCTs are needed in the future.

Pancreatic cancer and SBRT: A new potential option?

Local control remains a major issue for patients with unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). The role of radiation therapy in the management of LAPC represents an area of some controversy. Stereotactic body radiotherapy is an emerging treatment option for LAPC as it can provide a therapeutic benefit with significant advantages for patients' quality of life over standard conventional chemoradiation. The objective of this review is to present the rationale for stereotactic body radiotherapy in LAPC, as well as to discuss the potential limitations and caveats of the currently available studies.

Diagnostic laparoscopy should be performed before definitive resection for pancreatic cancer: a financial argument

OBJECTIVES

Laparoscopy is recommended to detect radiographically occult metastases in patients with pancreatic cancer before curative resection. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) is cost-effective in patients undergoing curative resection with or without neoadjuvant therapy (NAT).

METHODS

Decision tree modelling compared routine DL with exploratory laparotomy (ExLap) at the time of curative resection in resectable cancer treated with surgery first, (SF) and borderline resectable cancer treated with NAT. Costs (US$) from the payer's perspective, quality-adjusted life months (QALMs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated. Base case estimates and multi-way sensitivity analyses were performed. Willingness to pay (WtP) was US$4166/QALM (or US$50,000/quality-adjusted life year).

RESULTS

Base case costs were US$34,921 for ExLap and US$33,442 for DL in SF patients, and US$39,633 for ExLap and US$39,713 for DL in NAT patients. Routine DL is the dominant (preferred) strategy in both treatment types: it allows for cost reductions of US$10,695/QALM in SF and US$4158/QALM in NAT patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The present analysis supports the cost-effectiveness of routine DL before curative resection in pancreatic cancer patients treated with either SF or NAT.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy with gemcitabine/cisplatin and surgery versus immediate surgery in resectable pancreatic cancer: results of the first prospective randomized phase II trial

Background

In nonrandomized trials, neoadjuvant treatment was reported to prolong survival in patients with pancreatic cancer. As neoadjuvant chemoradiation is established for the treatment of rectal cancer we examined the value of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in pancreatic cancer in a randomized phase II trial. Radiological staging defining resectability was basic information prior to randomization in contrast to adjuvant therapy trials resting on pathological staging.

Patients and methods

Patients with resectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head were randomized to primary surgery (Arm A) or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery (Arm B), which was followed by adjuvant chemotherapy in both arms. A total of 254 patients were required to detect a 4.33-month improvement in median overall survival (mOS).

Results

The trial was stopped after 73 patients; 66 patients were eligible for analysis. Twenty nine of 33 allocated patients received chemoradiotherapy. Radiotherapy was completed in all patients. Chemotherapy was changed in 3 patients due to toxicity. Tumor resection was performed in 23 vs. 19 patients (A vs. B). The R0 resection rate was 48 % (A) and 52 % (B, P = 0.81) and (y)pN0 was 30 % (A) vs. 39 % (B, P = 0.44), respectively. Postoperative complications were comparable in both groups. mOS was 14.4 vs. 17.4 months (A vs. B; intention-to-treat analysis; P = 0.96). After tumor resection, mOS was 18.9 vs. 25.0 months (A vs. B; P = 0.79).

Conclusion

This worldwide first randomized trial for neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in pancreatic cancer showed that neoadjuvant chemoradiation is safe with respect to toxicity, perioperative morbidity, and mortality. Nevertheless, the trial was terminated early due to slow recruiting and the results were not significant. ISRCTN78805636; NCT00335543.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi: 10.1007/s00066-014-0737-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy in pancreatic cancer: the new frontier

Pancreatic cancer (PCA) remains a disease with a poor prognosis. The majority of PCA patients are unable to undergo surgical resection, which is the only potentially curative option at this time. A combination of chemotherapy and chemoradiation (CRT) are standard options for patients with locally advanced, unresectable disease, however, local control and patient outcomes remains poor. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an emerging treatment option for PCA. SBRT delivers potentially ablative doses to the pancreatic tumor plus a small margin over a short period of time. Early studies with single-fraction SBRT demonstrated excellent tumor control with high rates of toxicity. The implementation of SBRT (3-5 doses) has demonstrated promising outcomes with favorable tumor control and toxicity rates. Herein we discuss the evolving role of SBRT in PCA treatment.

Therapeutic options for the management of pancreatic cancer

Since its initial characterization, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has remained one of the most devastating and difficult cancers to treat. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, resulting in an estimated 38460 deaths annually. With few screening tools available to detect this disease at an early stage, 94% of patients will die within five years of diagnosis. Despite decades of research that have led to a better understanding of the molecular and cellular signaling pathways in pancreatic cancer cells, few effective therapies have been developed to target these pathways. Other treatment options have included more sophisticated pancreatic cancer surgeries and combination therapies. While outcomes have improved modestly for these patients, more effective treatments are desperately needed. One of the greatest challenges in the future of treating this malignancy will be to develop therapies that target the tumor microenvironment and surrounding pancreatic cancer stem cells in addition to pancreatic cancer cells. Recent advances in targeting pancreatic stellate cells and the stroma have encouraged researchers to shift their focus to the role of desmoplasia in pancreatic cancer pathobiology in the hopes of developing newer-generation therapies. By combining novel agents with current cytotoxic chemotherapies and radiation therapy and personalizing them to each patient based on specific biomarkers, the goal of prolonging a patient’s life could be achieved. Here we review the most effective therapies that have been used for the treatment of pancreatic cancer and discuss the future potential of therapeutic options.

Systematic review of outcomes of patients undergoing resection for colorectal liver metastases in the setting of extra hepatic disease

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) can offer patients a significant survival benefit. We hypothesised that patients with CRLM and extra hepatic disease (EHD) undergoing metastasectomy had comparable survival and describe outcomes based on the distribution of metastatic disease.

METHODS

A systematic search using a predefined registered protocol was undertaken between January 2003 and June 2012. Primary exposure was hepatic resection for CRLM and primary outcome measure was overall survival. Meta-regression techniques were used to analyse differences between patients with and without extra hepatic disease.

FINDINGS

From a pool of 4996 articles, 50 were retained for data extraction (3481 CRLM patients with EHD). The median survival (MS) was 30.5 (range, 9-98) months which was achieved with an operative mortality rate of 0-4.2%. The 3-year and 5-year overall survival (OS) were 42.4% (range, 20.6-77%) and 28% (range, 0-61%) respectively. Patients with EHD of the lungs had a MS of 45 (range, 39-98) months versus lymph nodes (portal and para-aortic) 26 (range, 21-48) months versus peritoneum 29 (range, 18-32) months. The MS also varied by the amount of liver disease - 42.2months (<two lesions) versus 39.6months (two lesions) versus 28months (⩾three lesions).

INTERPRETATION

In the evolving landscape of multimodality therapy, selective hepatic resection for CRLM patients with EHD is feasible with potential impact on survival. Patients with minimal liver disease and EHD in the lung achieve the best outcome.

Preoperative chemoradiation and IOERT for unresectable or borderline resectable pancreas cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Pre-operative chemoradiation (preop CRT) plus intraoperative electron irradiation (IOERT) has been used in the multidisciplinary treatment for patients with locally advanced unresectable or borderline resectable pancreas cancer. This review was performed to evaluate survival, relapse patterns and prognostic factors in patients treated with curative intent.

METHODS

Between January 2002 and December 2010, 48 patients with locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma received preop CRT prior to an attempt at resection and IOERT. 31/48 (65%) patients proceeded to curative-intent surgical resection. Resection status prior to preop CRT was locally unresectable (20 patients) and borderline resectable (11 patients). Preop CRT (45-50.4 Gy/25-28 Fx in 27/31) was delivered with concurrent 5FU or gemcitabine-based regimens. Subsequent gross total resection was achieved in 16 patients (R0, 11; R1, 5). IOERT was delivered in 28 patients (dose, 10-20 Gy). 16 patients also received adjuvant post-operative systemic chemotherapy. Outcomes evaluated include survival, local failure in the EBRT field (LF), central failure in the IOERT field (CF), and distant metastases.

RESULTS

Resection status was predictive for survival and for patterns of relapse. For patients with at least a gross total resection after preop CRT (R0/R1; n=16) vs. no resection (n=15), both median and overall survival were improved (median 23 vs. 10 months; 2-year, 40% vs. 17%; 3-year, 40% vs. 0%; P=0.002). Liver or peritoneal relapse was documented in 22/31 patients (71%); LF/CF in 5/26 (16%).

CONCLUSIONS

Long term survival and disease control are achievable in select patients with borderline resectable or locally unresectable pancreas cancer when gross total surgical resection is achieved after preop CRT. Continued evaluation of curative-intent combined modality therapy is warranted in this high risk population, but additional strategies are needed to improve resectability and disease control.

Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma, version 2.2012: featured updates to the NCCN Guidelines

The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma discuss the workup and management of tumors of the exocrine pancreas. These NCCN Guidelines Insights provide a summary and explanation of major changes to the 2012 NCCN Guidelines for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. The panel made 3 significant updates to the guidelines: 1) more detail was added regarding multiphase CT techniques for diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer, and pancreas protocol MRI was added as an emerging alternative to CT; 2) the use of a fluoropyrimidine plus oxaliplatin (e.g., 5-FU/leucovorin/oxaliplatin or capecitabine/oxaliplatin) was added as an acceptable chemotherapy combination for patients with advanced or metastatic disease and good performance status as a category 2B recommendation; and 3) the panel developed new recommendations concerning surgical technique and pathologic analysis and reporting.

The burden of infection for elective pancreatic resections

BACKGROUND

Infection control is potentially a critical quality indicator but remains incompletely understood, especially in high-acuity gastrointestinal surgery. Our objective was to evaluate the incidence and impact of infections after elective pancreatectomy at the practice level.

METHODS

All pancreatectomies performed by three pancreatic surgical specialists over an 8-year period (2001-2009) followed standardized perioperative care, including timely antibiotic administration. Infections were defined according to National Surgery Quality Improvement Program criteria, while complication severity was based on Clavien grade. Clinical and economic outcomes were evaluated and predictors of infection identified by regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of 550 major pancreatic resections, 288 (53%) had some complication, of which 167 (31%) were infectious. Rates of infection differed by type of resection (proximal pancreatectomy > others; P = .029) but not by presence of malignancy. Major infections (Clavien 3-5; n = 62), occurred in 11% of cases. Infection was not the primary cause of death in any patient. Infection was associated with increases in hospital stay, operative times, transfusions, blood loss, intensive care unit use, and readmission (34% vs 12%). Types of infection were as follows: wound infection (14%), infected pancreatic fistula (9%), urinary tract infection (7%), pneumonia (6%), and sepsis (2%). The use of total parenteral nutrition (odds ratio [OR], 7.3), coronary artery disease (OR, 2.1), and perioperative hypotension (OR, 1.6) predicted any infection. Total costs for cases with infection increased grade-for-grade across the Clavien scale, with infection accounting for 38% of the overall cost differential.

CONCLUSION

Infectious complications occurred frequently, compromising numerous outcomes and increasing costs markedly. These data provide a foundation for understanding the baseline consequences of infection in high-acuity gastrointestinal surgery and offer opportunities for process evaluation and initiatives in infection control at the practice level.

Defined clinical classifications are associated with outcome of patients with anatomically resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with neoadjuvant therapy

BACKGROUND

We previously introduced a classification system for patients with localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma that integrates assessments of tumor anatomy, cancer biology, and patient physiology. By means of this system, we sought to analyze outcomes of patients with resectable anatomy but heterogeneous biology and physiology who were treated with neoadjuvant therapy.

METHODS

We evaluated consecutive patients (2002-2007) with anatomically potentially resectable cancers treated with chemotherapy or chemoradiation before potential pancreatectomy. We compared clinical factors and outcomes of patients classified as having disease that was clinically resectable (CR; no extrapancreatic disease, preserved performance status); suspicion for extrapancreatic disease (BR-B); or marginal performance status or significant comorbidity (BR-C). Patients with borderline resectable anatomy (BR-A) were excluded.

RESULTS

Resection rates for 138 CR, 41 BR-B, and 38 BR-C patients were 75, 46, and 37%, respectively (P < 0.001). Metastases, detected during treatment in 23% of patients, were the most common contraindication to resection among CR (15%) and BR-B (46%) patients. Performance status rarely precluded surgery except among BR-C (32%) patients. Factors associated with selection against surgery were older age, poor performance status, pain, and therapeutic complications (P < 0.05). The median overall survival of all patients was 21 months. Resected and unresected BR-B and BR-C patients had median overall survival durations similar to those of resected and unresected CR patients, respectively (P > 0.22).

CONCLUSIONS

This system describes discrete clinical subgroups of patients with pancreatic cancer who have similar, potentially resectable tumor anatomy but heterogeneous physiology and cancer biology. It may be used with neoadjuvant therapy to predict outcomes, individualize treatment algorithms, and optimize survival.

Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma, version 2.2012: featured updates to the NCCN Guidelines

The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma discuss the workup and management of tumors of the exocrine pancreas. These NCCN Guidelines Insights provide a summary and explanation of major changes to the 2012 NCCN Guidelines for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. The panel made 3 significant updates to the guidelines: 1) more detail was added regarding multiphase CT techniques for diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer, and pancreas protocol MRI was added as an emerging alternative to CT; 2) the use of a fluoropyrimidine plus oxaliplatin (e.g., 5-FU/leucovorin/oxaliplatin or capecitabine/oxaliplatin) was added as an acceptable chemotherapy combination for patients with advanced or metastatic disease and good performance status as a category 2B recommendation; and 3) the panel developed new recommendations concerning surgical technique and pathologic analysis and reporting.

Role of radiation therapy in the management of pancreatic cancer

Local failure remains a major issue for patients with both resectable and locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The role of radiation therapy in the management of this disease is less clear and represents an area of some controversy. The objective of this review is to present the rationale for radiation therapy in pancreatic cancer, as well as to discuss the potential limitations and caveats of the currently available studies.

Management of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma: national trends in patient selection, operative management, and use of adjuvant therapy

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection remains the only potentially curative option for patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC). Advances in surgical technique and perioperative care have reduced perioperative mortality; however, temporal trends in perioperative morbidity and the use of adjuvant therapy on a population basis remain ill-defined.

STUDY DESIGN

Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare data, 2,461 patients with resected PAC were identified from 1991 to 2005. We examined trends in preoperative comorbidity indices, adjuvant treatment, type of pancreatic resection, and changes in morbidity and mortality during 4 time intervals (ie, 1991-1996, 1997-2000, 2001-2003, and 2003-2005).

RESULTS

The majority of patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 1,945; 79%). There was a temporal increase in mean patient age (p < 0.05) and the number of patients with multiple preoperative comorbidities (Elixhauser comorbidities ≥3: 1991-1996, 10% vs 2003-2005, 26%; p < 0.001). Perioperative morbidity (53%) did not, however, change over time (p = 0.97) and 30-day mortality decreased by half (1991-1996: 6% vs 2003-2005: 3%; p = 0.04). Overall, 51% (n = 1,243) of patients received adjuvant therapy, with the majority receiving chemoradiation (n = 817; 33%). Among patients who received adjuvant therapy, factors associated with receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy alone relative to chemoradiation included older patient age (odds ratio = 1.75; p < 0.001) and ≥3 medical comorbidities (odds ratio = 1.57; p = 0.007). Receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy alone also increased over time (2003-2005 vs 1991-1996, odds ratio = 2.21; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative 30-day mortality associated with resection for PAC decreased by one-half from 1991 to 2005. Although patients undergoing resection for PAC were older and had more preoperative comorbidities, the incidence of perioperative complications remained stable. The relative use of adjuvant chemotherapy alone vs chemoradiation therapy for PAC has increased in the United States during the 15 years examined.

Phase II trial of full-dose gemcitabine and bevacizumab in combination with attenuated three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy in patients with localized pancreatic cancer

PURPOSE

To evaluate response rate, survival, and toxicity in patients with nonmetastatic pancreatic cancer treated with gemcitabine, bevacizumab, and radiotherapy.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Patients received three cycles of therapy over 10 weeks. In total, treatment consisted of intravenous (IV) gemcitabine, 1,000 mg/m(2), every 1 to 2 weeks (7 doses), IV bevacizumab, 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks (5 doses), and 36 Gy of radiotherapy (2.4-Gy fractions during cycle two). Response was assessed by cross-sectional imaging and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) levels. Patients with resectable tumors underwent surgery 6 to 8 weeks after the last dose of bevacizumab. Maintenance gemcitabine and bevacizumab doses were delivered to patients who had unresected tumors and no progression.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight of the 32 enrolled patients completed all three cycles. The median follow-up was 11.07 months. Most grade 3 or 4 toxicities occurred in the initial treatment phase; the most frequent toxicities were leukopenia (21%), neutropenia (17%), and nausea (17%). At week 10, 1 patient (4%) had a complete response, 2 patients (7%) had partial responses, 21 patients (75%) had stable disease, and 4 patients (14%) had progressive disease. The median pretreatment and posttreatment CA 19-9 levels (25 patients) were 184.3 and 57.9 U/ml, respectively (p = 0.0006). One of 10 patients proceeding to surgery experienced a major complication. Two of 6 patients undergoing resection had complete pathologic responses. The median progression-free and overall survival durations were 9.9 months and 11.8 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of full-dose gemcitabine, bevacizumab, and radiotherapy was active and was not associated with a high rate of major surgical complications.

Perioperative intra-arterial and systemic chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Even after curative resection of pancreatic cancer, there is a high probability of systemic recurrence. This indicates that subclinical metastases are already present at the time of operation. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and outcomes of patients who received a novel multimodality therapy combining pancreatic resection and intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) with pre- and postoperative chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

For eligible patients with pancreatic cancer, 5-FU was administered at a dose of 125 mg/m(2)/day on days 1-5 every week as a continuous pancreatic and hepatic arterial infusion, and gemcitabine was infused intravenously at a dose of 800 mg/m(2) per day once per week for 2 weeks for preoperative chemotherapy. Pancreatic resection combined with IORT was performed 1 week after preoperative chemotherapy. Postoperative chemotherapy was performed in the same way as preoperative chemotherapy. We performed an intention-to-treat analysis for all enrolled patients.

RESULTS

This study enrolled 44 patients. The most common toxicities were hematological and gastrointestinal events. Grade 3/4 hematological toxicities were observed during preoperative chemotherapy, although there were no grade 3/4 nonhematological events. Postoperative chemotherapy-related toxicities were more critical and frequent than preoperative ones. There were no pre- or postoperative chemotherapy-associated deaths. Median overall survival was 36.5 months with 30.5% overall 5-year survival.

CONCLUSIONS

This multimodality therapy is feasible and promises to contribute to survival. It should be evaluated in a phase III setting.

Current status of adjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer

In this article, we review the rationale for and outcomes associated with the use of adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy for resectable and borderline resectable cancer of the pancreatic head and uncinate process. Localized pancreatic cancer is a systemic disease that requires nonoperative therapies to minimize the local and systemic recurrences that almost invariably occur in the absence of such therapy, even following complete surgical resection. A well-defined role exists for the systemic administration of gemcitabine or 5-fluorouracil in the postoperative setting. Although the survival benefit associated with adjuvant chemoradiation has not been as rigorously defined, its use is supported by extensive historic experience; chemoradiation should be considered particularly for patients at high risk for local recurrence. Delivery of chemotherapy and/or chemoradiation prior to surgery has multiple potential advantages, although the superiority of neoadjuvant therapy over standard postoperative therapy has yet to be demonstrated. Neoadjuvant therapy may be particularly beneficial among patients with borderline resectable cancers. Although the existing literature is confusing, and indeed controversial, available evidence suggests that systemic chemotherapy and/or chemoradiation should be offered to all patients with pancreatic cancer who undergo potentially curative resection. Well-designed prospective trials are needed to define the optimal adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy strategy for these patients.

Synergistic action of oncolytic herpes simplex virus and radiotherapy in pancreatic cancer cell lines

BACKGROUND

Despite much research in chemotherapy and radiotherapy, pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains a fatal disease, highly resistant to all treatment modalities. Recent developments in the field of herpes simplex virus (HSV) engineering have allowed the generation of a number of promising virus vectors for treatment of many cancers, including pancreatic tumours. This study examined the use of one such virus, NV1023, in combination with radiation therapy in pancreatic cancer cell lines.

METHODS

HSV therapy in combination with radiotherapy was investigated in pancreatic cancer cell lines Hs766T, Panc-1 and MIA PaCa-2. Multiple therapy effect analysis was performed by computerized simulation. Mechanisms underlying synergy, such as virus replication and apoptosis, were investigated.

RESULTS

The combination of NV1023 and radiation yielded a synergistic oncolytic effect in all tested pancreatic cancer cell lines, with the greatest effect achieved in MIA PaCa-2. This effect was not mediated by an increase in rapid viral replication, but by a substantial increase in apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

The synergistic oncolytic actions of HSV and radiotherapy observed in pancreatic cancer cell lines encourage further testing of this multimodality treatment.

Multidisciplinary management of resectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head

Although surgery is considered the only treatment to offer patients with localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma a chance of cure, resection alone is rarely sufficient for long-term survival. High rates of postoperative recurrence and subsequent disease-related mortality have, over the past two decades, encouraged the study and use of multimodality strategies that include adjuvant systemic chemotherapy and radiation. These modalities have been utilized both preoperatively and postoperatively with encouraging results. Moreover, their use has led increasingly to the development of institutional multidisciplinary groups with a focused interest in the care of patients with pancreatic malignancy, which have become responsible for the diagnosis, staging, treatment, follow-up and study of these patients. We review the rationale for the use of and the outcomes that may be achieved through the use of a multidisciplinary approach to patients with resectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head.

Effects of neoadjuvant combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy on the CT evaluation of resectability and staging in patients with pancreatic head cancer

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of neoadjuvant combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CCRT) on preoperative accuracy of multidetector computed tomography (CT) for resectability and tumor staging in patients with pancreatic head cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study received institutional review board approval and was exempted from informed consent requirements. From May 2002 to March 2007, 38 patients with pancreatic head adenocarcinoma underwent multidetector CT before surgery. Of these, 12 patients received neoadjuvant CCRT. Imaging findings were evaluated for tumor resectability and tumor staging. Surgical and pathologic results were used as the reference standard. The accuracy of resectability and individual components of each T category were compared between the patients with neoadjuvant CCRT and without it by using the chi(2) test or Fisher exact test. A P of less than .05 was considered as significant.

RESULTS

The accuracy in determining resectability was 83% (10 of 12) in patients who had received neoadjuvant CCRT and 81% (21 of 26) in patients who had not, without significant difference (P > .05). Of 32 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, histopathologic tumor staging was reported for T1 (n = 2), T2 (n = 1), and T3 (n = 9) lesions in patents with neoadjuvant CCRT (n = 12), and for T3 in all patients without neoadjuvant CCRT (n = 20). T-staging accuracy was 67% (eight of 12) with neoadjuvant CCRT and 95% (19 of 20) without it, with a significant difference (P = .0185).

CONCLUSION

Neoadjuvant CCRT reduces the accuracy of tumor restaging after treatment of pancreatic head cancer, but this effect is not so great as to affect the determination of resectability.

Guidelines for the Surgical Management of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Pancreaticoduodenectomy remains the most formidable operative procedure for the surgical treatment of gastrointestinal malignancy. Improved outcomes after the Whipple procedure have been attributed to better preoperative patient selection, advances in three-dimensional radiographic imaging, and regionalization of referrals to high-volume, tertiary care centers. Despite these advances, morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy are not insignificant and the overall prognosis following resection for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas remains poor. Improvements in endoscopic decompression of malignant biliary obstruction have decreased the need for palliative bypass operations and have focused current surgical issues on ways to improve clinical outcomes following potentially curative resections. Controversies such as whether or not to perform extended lymph node dissections, and standard versus pylorus-preserving resections have been addressed by randomized, prospective clinical trials. Major venous resections secondary to local tumor extension are now performed without an increase in morbidity or mortality and with survival rates comparable to standard resections. This has led to even more aggressive resections following neoadjuvant therapy for lesions previously considered unresectable and now perhaps better categorized as borderline resectable. The impact of surgical specialization and regionalization of referrals to tertiary care centers is evident in markedly improved perioperative mortality rates. This article will attempt to describe current guidelines for the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management of patients with localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Early detection and staging of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

Early diagnosis is likely to improve the outcome and survival in patients who have pancreatic cancer. The sensitivity and specificity of current screening methods, however, limit their applicability to individuals at high risk for developing pancreatic cancer. Further development of serum markers may lead to improved diagnostic accuracy and allow screening to be implemented more broadly. Proteomic profiling and evaluation of panels of markers hold particular promise for the future. This article provides a review of current methods and results for the early detection and staging of pancreatic cancer, and discusses some potential areas for future development.

Adjuvant Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer

Of the 33,370 patients diagnosed with pancreatic carcinoma in the United States this year, approximately 20% will present with resectable disease. At present, surgery offers the only means of cure. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy approaches have been used to enhance local and systemic control and survival. Phase III trials evaluating these modalities have led to conflicting results, leading to controversy in the use and selection of therapy. Phase II studies are now being conducted to evaluate target agent therapy with chemoradiation.

The role of superoxide anions in the development of distant tumour recurrence

We hypothesise that reactive oxygen species (ROS) released from activated polymorphonuclear leucocytes during surgery play a crucial role in enhanced tumour recurrence seen after surgery. Therefore, the effect of ROS on adhesion of tumour cells to microvascular endothelium in a reproducible human in vitro model was studied. Preincubation of microvascular endothelial cells with the superoxide anion producing xanthine–xanthine oxidase complex significantly increased adhesion of the human colon carcinoma cells HT29 (167% vs control, P<0.01), Caco2 (164% vs control, P<0.01) and of the pancreas carcinoma cells PanC1 (180% vs control, P<0.01). Addition of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase or catalase significantly decreased tumour cell adhesion (P<0.01). Exposure of endothelial cells to superoxide anions increased the apoptotic rate to 7.9 times the normal rate. Additionally, exposure increased expression of the endothelial adhesion molecules E-Selectin, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 of maximally 170% vs control (P<0.01). In conclusion, this study shows that superoxide anions promote the adherence of tumour cells to the microvasculature by inducing endothelial apoptosis that subsequently induces the expression of various adhesion molecules for tumour cells. This indicates that by tackling the production of ROS preventing tumour recurrence at distant sites might be feasible.

Feasibility of preoperative combined radiation therapy and chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin in potentially resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma: The French SFRO-FFCD 97-04 Phase II trial

PURPOSE

More than 80% of patients who undergo a potentially curative resection for pancreatic cancer develop local or distant recurrence. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy might offer potential benefits regarding local and systemic control and survival. This multi-institutional Phase II trial explored the feasibility of preoperative chemoradiation in this situation.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Treatment consisted of concurrent radiotherapy (50 Gy within 5 weeks), and chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (300 mg/m(2)/day, 5 days/week, 5 consecutive weeks) and cisplatin (20 mg/m(2)/day, Days 1-5 and 29-33), followed by surgical resection of the pancreatic tumor in patients without progression.

RESULTS

A total of 41 patients were enrolled. Of these, 38 (93%) received > or =47 Gy; 30 patients (73%) received > or =75% of the prescribed doses of chemotherapy. Surgical resection was performed in 26 patients (63%). Because of local or metastatic progression, 5 patients (12%) did not undergo surgery and 10 underwent surgery without resection of the pancreatic tumor. Operative mortality was 2.8%. Among 40 evaluable patients, 27 were successfully treated (67.5%; 95% CI, 50.9-81.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Pancreatic cancer is chemo-radiosensitive. The proposed pre-operative scheme is feasible, does not prevent successful surgery, and must be tested on a Phase III setting. Yet, the large proportion of tumor progression during and after chemoradiation justifies the use of more efficient drugs such as Gemcitabine, and optimized radiotherapy including new techniques such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

Long term morbidity of neoadjuvant chemoradiation for pancreatic head adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

To report the long term risks of neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NCRT) after duodenopancreatectomy (DP) for adenocarcinoma of the head of pancreas.

METHODS

Between January 1996 and December 2002, 26 patients with biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma of the head of pancreas were treated by this combination of therapies.

RESULTS

Two patients had delayed NCRT-related small bowel infarction: one died from superior mesenteric artery stenosis 36 months after DP without recurrence at laparotomy; there was one limited infarction 16 months after DP.

CONCLUSIONS

Long term vascular morbidity after NCRT is significant.

Adjuvant treatment

Exocrine pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma) is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the western world, accounting for 5% of all cancer-related deaths. Only a small percentage of patients with pancreatic cancer are able to undergo potentially curative resection, even in specialized centres, and prognosis remains poor after successful surgery. Over the last few years efforts have been directed towards the development of adjuvant therapies in attempts to improve outcome. The main trials of adjuvant chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy with follow-on chemotherapy are described in this paper, followed by the results of the ESPAC-1 trial and the status of ESPAC-2 and -3 trials.

Pancreatic cancer cell radiation survival and prenyltransferase inhibition: the role of K-Ras

Activating K-ras mutations are found in approximately 90% of pancreatic carcinomas and may contribute to the poor prognosis of these tumors. Because radiotherapy is frequently used in pancreatic cancer treatment, we assessed the contribution of oncogenic K-ras signaling to pancreatic cancer radiosensitivity. Seven human pancreatic carcinoma lines with activated K-ras and two cell lines with wild-type ras were used to examine clonogenic cell survival after Ras inhibition. Ras inhibition was accomplished by small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of K-ras expression and by blocking Ras processing using a panel of prenyltransferase inhibitors of differing specificity for the two prenyltransferases that modify K-Ras. K-ras knockdown by siRNA or inhibition of prenyltransferase activity resulted in radiation sensitization in vitro and in vivo in tumors with oncogenic K-ras mutations. Inhibition of farnesyltransferase alone was sufficient to radiosensitize most K-ras mutant tumors, although K-Ras prenylation was not blocked. These results show that inhibition of activated K-Ras can promote radiation killing of pancreatic carcinoma in a superadditive manner. The finding that farnesyltransferase inhibition alone radiosensitizes tumors with K-ras mutations implies that a farnesyltransferase inhibitor-sensitive protein other than K-Ras may contribute to survival in the context of mutant K-ras. Farnesyltransferase inhibitors could therefore be of use as sensitizers for pancreatic carcinoma radiotherapy.

Adjuvant Treatment for Resectable Pancreatic Cancer

There are relatively few randomized studies of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The European Study Group for Pancreatic Cancer 1 (ESPAC1) trial is the largest study of adjuvant treatment to date. The results of ESPAC1 are discussed in the context of other evidence from previous randomized studies, which have also been combined in a meta-analysis. Overall, the existing data show a clear benefit for postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, which has not been demonstrated for adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The subgroup of patients with resection margin positive disease did seem to benefit less from adjuvant chemotherapy, and showed a trend towards improved survival with chemoradiotherapy. Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy should be evaluated further in this latter group of patients. The optimal chemotherapy regimen for use as adjuvant treatment is the subject of ongoing trials. Other strategies which should be explored include neoadjuvant treatment and the incorporation of novel targeted agents into management.

New approaches to the minimally invasive treatment of pancreatic cancer

Advances in minimally invasive surgery have revolutionized the field of surgery. Despite the great strides in equipment and experience, operative conduct remains confined by the limits of exposure. Retroperitoneal fat can be abundant and can contribute greatly to difficulty in exposure. Visceral organs ventral to the retroperitoneum preclude direct access and require optimal patient positioning to operate. Additionally, the major vascular pedicles all originate in the retroperitoneum off of the abdominal aorta or enter the inferior vena cava. The pancreas, in particular, is surrounded by the portal vein, celiac axis, superior mesenteric vein and artery, and splenic vein and artery. If injured during surgery, these vessels can present a life-threatening emergency. The issues related to the vasculature, coupled with the difficulty in resecting portions of the pancreas and the relative paucity of pancreatic procedures, have greatly concentrated these cases at tertiary care centers staffed by experienced laparoscopists. However, as surgical technology improves and fellowships train more surgeons with advanced laparoscopic skills, minimally invasive pancreatic surgery may diffuse with more community-based health care networks.

Preoperative locoregional re-evaluation by endoscopic ultrasound in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma after neoadjuvant chemoradiation

INTRODUCTION

The accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) has been confirmed. Chemo-radiotherpay (CRT) induces tumor changes which can limit the accuracy of EUS. The aim of our study was to analyze the efficacy of EUS following neoadjuvant CRT comparing findings with the pathology results.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From November 1996 to October 2003, 45 patients with histologically proven and EUS-staged PDA were treated with neo-adjuvant CRT and radical surgery. All were restaged before surgery using both EUS and computed tomography. Fifteen patients were found to have developed distant metastases. Thirty patients finally underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (N=24) or distal pancreatectomy (N=6).

RESULTS

Following CRT, tumor stage was correctly assessed in 12 patients (40%). The most frequent misinterpretation was overestimation of tumor size (N=13, 43.3%). Locoregional vascular invasion of veins was suspected by EUS in 13 patients (43.3%) but surgical findings and the histological examination were both negative. Node status was correctly assessed in 27 patients (90%) but nodal involvement was found on the histological specimen in only 3 patients.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative EUS after neoadjuvant CRT for PDA does not enable reliable definitive selection of patients for surgery, probably due to radiation-induced pancreatic changes.

Hemorrhage after duodenopancreatectomy: impact of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy and experience with sentinel bleeding

Postoperative hemorrhage (PH) after duodenopancreatectomy (DP) is frequently lethal. The aim of this study was to delineate guidelines of management. Between August 1994 and July 2003, 172 patients underwent DP for cancer. Altogether, 26 patients were subjected to an institutional protocol (IP) with standard-dose chemoradiation (CRT) and 4 patients to an extrainstitutional protocol (EIP) with high-dose CRT. Sixteen patients (9.3%) were reoperated for PH. Hemorrhage occurred in 23% of irradiated patients (4 EIP, 3 IP) and in 6% of nonirradiated patients [confidence interval (CI) 1.8-6.5]. Pancreatic leak occurred in nine patients with PH (56%). Sentinel bleeding (SB) was noted in eight patients (50%) with a mean delay of 10 days after DP. Overall mortality after hemorrhage was 56%. Morality rates of patients with EIP or IP were, respectively, 100% and 0%. Mortality rates of patients with or without SB were similar. Mortality rates of axial bleeding (hepatic artery, mesenteric vessels) or lateral bleeding (pancreas remnant, splenic vessels) were, respectively, 88% and 25% (CI 1.6-8.6). Completion of pancreatectomy was achieved in 75% without rebleeding. Preoperative high-dose CRT increased the risk of fatal PH. Because SB occurs before massive hemorrhage, prompt reoperation could reduce mortality. Completion of pancreatectomy was essential during reintervention. Axial bleeding supports high mortality. Moving to the left, the pancreatojejunostomy could avoid contact of pancreatic juice with axial vessels in the case of pancreatic leakage. Ligating the gastroduodenal artery during DP had to leave a stump of around 1 cm to facilitate hemorrhage control without ligating the common hepatic artery.

[Pancreaticoduodenectomy in the era of evidence based medicine]

The aim of this comprehensive literature review was to analyse evidence based data in the field of pancreaticoduodenectomy. Pylorus preserving does reduce mortality or morbidity of the standard procedure and could increase the risk of delayed gastric emptying. Pancreaticogastrostomy does not decrease the rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula and is not superior to the pancreaticojejunal anastomosis which is more physiological. No other procedure (chemical occlusion, octreotide, stenting) has been demonstrated to prevent pancreatic fistula. Octreotide injection could be advocated in centres where there is a high rate of pancreatic fistula, when pancreatic parenchyma is soft and the main pancreatic duct thin. Intra-abdominal drainage is not beneficial and could be associated with some morbidity. Its use needs to be further evaluated. When a resection is done for pancreatic cancer, less than 5% of patients are a live five years after surgery with postoperative mortality rate of 5% in expert centres and a high morbidity rate (25-50%). Extended lymphadenectomy does not increase survival. The first trials showed that adjuvant therapies could be beneficial for pancreatic cancers, but further trials did not confirm these findings. Adjuvant therapy is not validated for pancreatic cancers and needs to be considered only in the settings of clinical trials.

Modern management of pancreatic carcinoma

Pancreatic cancer remains a fearsome disease. New insights into the molecular pathogenesis may influence choice of treatment modalities and provide avenues for novel therapeutic strategies for testing in the clinic. The survival rate of patients with all stages of disease is poor and clinical trials are appropriate alternatives for treatment and should be considered. Surgical resection, when possible, remains the primary treatment modality and can result in long-term cure. Less invasive techniques such as laparoscopy may reduce the rate of unnecessary laparotomies. The role of adjuvant therapy is re-emerging. Patients with unresectable and metastatic disease are incurable and optimal palliation is the goal. These patients may benefit from palliative bypass of biliary or duodenal obstruction if symptomatic. Pain associated with local tumour infiltration may be palliated with radiation, with or without chemotherapy, or with coeliac nerve blocks or local neurosurgical procedures. Chemotherapy with gemcitabine has modest objective response rates but has been shown to improve symptoms.

Neoadjuvant therapy for resectable pancreatic cancer

The length and quality of life of patients with localized pancreatic cancer will be maximized by accurate preoperative assessment of resectability, a standardized technique of tumor resection, and the routine use of protocol-based adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy. Continued efforts to enroll patients with localized and advanced pancreatic cancer into well-designed clinical trials should remain a high priority for oncologists across all disciplines. At present, preoperative therapy remains investigational but has a sound clinical basis and remains a reasonable alternative to up front surgery. Future clinical trials for resectable pancreatic cancer will lead to progress only if the principles of multidisciplinary cancer care and quality assurance are incorporated into their design and conduct.

Assessment of pathologic response after preoperative chemoradiotherapy and surgery in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

The benefits provided by preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in pancreatic ductular adenocarcinoma (PDA) are still controversial. However, in most reports from referral centers, improvement in local control and survival appears to be provided in selected patients. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the radiation-induced pathologic effects of preoperative CRT in patients with resectable PDA and determine the precise long-term outcome of the responding patients.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between November 1996 and October 2003, 61 patients underwent preoperative CRT for resectable PDA. The tumor location was the pancreatic head in 49 patients and pancreatic body in 12 patients. Of the 61 patients, 21 (34.5%) did not undergo surgery because of disease progression and 40 (65.5%) underwent pancreatic resection, including pancreaticoduodenectomy in 32 (80%) and distal pancreatectomy in 8 (20%).

RESULTS

A major pathologic response was noted in 9 patients, including three complete responses, and was found only in patients with tumor of the pancreatic head. The local control rate was similar in patients with and without a major pathologic response. Survival in patients with a major response was significantly greater than in those without a response or with a minor response.

CONCLUSION

Major tumor downstaging can be provided by preoperative CRT in patients with resectable cephalic PDA. Survival appears to be significantly improved in selected patients.

The Virginia Mason approach to localized pancreatic cancer

This article describes the approaches presently employed at Virginia Mason Medical Center for treatment of localized pancreatic cancer, including preoperative staging, operative intervention, incorporation of adjuvant therapy, and supportive care.

The role of intraoperative radiotherapy in pancreatic cancer

In single-institution studies, IORT at appropriate doses seems to safely improve local control in patients who have locally advanced pancreatic cancer, compared with historical controls. IORT also has been a component of adjuvant treatment programs that have led to excellent local control in resected patients. When considering the use of IORT, it is essential to have an understanding of the physical characteristics of the electron beam and how it can differ with the use of flat and beveled applicators. Although apparent improvement in local control with the use of IORT seems to have produced some improvement in median survival rates, high rates of distant failure continues to prevent a significant improvement in long-term survival. Because effective local control in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer is a prerequisite to the development of curative therapies, the development of improved systemic therapies in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer will likely make local therapies such as the use of IORT even more important in the future.