Management of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas with a nanosomal paclitaxel lipid suspension-based regimen: A case report

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Pancreas: A Case Report

Primary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) of the pancreas is a rare malignancy with poor prognosis and unclear management. Here, we present the case of a patient with PSCC, review the literature, identify areas of therapeutic uncertainty, and conclude that more clinical and molecular data are needed to improve the prognosis of this rare malignancy.

Treatment with nanosomal paclitaxel lipid suspension versus conventional paclitaxel in metastatic breast cancer patients - a multicenter, randomized, comparative, phase II/III clinical study

Background

A novel nanosomal paclitaxel lipid suspension (NPLS), free from Cremophor EL (CrEL) and ethanol, was developed to address the solvent-related toxicities associated with conventional paclitaxel formulation.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of NPLS versus CrEL-based paclitaxel (conventional paclitaxel) in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

Design

A prospective, open-label, randomized, multiple-dose, parallel, phase II/III study.

Methods

Adult (18-65 years) female patients with MBC who had previously failed at least one line of chemotherapy were randomized (2:2:1) to NPLS 175 mg/m2 every 3 weeks (Q3W, n = 48, arm A), NPLS 80 mg/m2 every week (QW, n = 45, arm B) without premedication or conventional paclitaxel (Taxol®, manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, USA) 175 mg/m2 Q3W (n = 27, arm C) with premedication. In the extension study, an additional 54 patients were randomized (2:1) to arm A (n = 37) or arm C (n = 17).

Results

Pooled data from the primary study and its extension phase included 174 patients. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate (ORR). As per intent-to-treat analysis, ORR was significantly better in the NPLS QW arm as compared to conventional paclitaxel [44.4% (20/45) versus 22.7% (10/44), (p = 0.04)]. An improvement in ORR with NPLS Q3W versus conventional paclitaxel arm [29.4% (25/85) versus 22.7% (10/44)] (p = 0.53) was observed. Disease control rates observed were improved with NPLS Q3W versus conventional paclitaxel Q3W (77.7% versus 72.7%, p = 0.66) and with NPLS QW versus conventional paclitaxel Q3W (84.4% versus 72.7%, p = 0.20), although not significant. A lower incidence of grade III/IV peripheral sensory neuropathy, vomiting, and dyspnea was reported with NPLS Q3W versus conventional paclitaxel Q3W arms.

Conclusion

NPLS demonstrated an improved tumor response rate and a favorable safety profile versus conventional paclitaxel. NPLS 80 mg/m2 QW demonstrated a significantly better response versus conventional paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 Q3W.

Trial registration

Clinical Trial Registry-India (CTRI), CTRI/2010/091/001344 Registered on: 18 October 2010 (https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?EncHid=MjEzNQ==&Enc=&userName=CTRI/2010/091/001344), CTRI/2015/07/006062 Registered on: 31 July 2015 (https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?EncHid=MTE2Mjc=&Enc=&userName=CTRI/2015/07/006062).

Epidemiology, Treatment, and Outcome of Pancreatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Propensity Score-Matching Analysis Based on SEER-Database

Background: Pancreatic squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare pancreatic malignancy compared to most common pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC). Aims: To analyze the prognostics factors of PSCC and compare PAC with PSCC in demographic patterns, clinicopathologic characteristics and treatment modalities. Methods: Data of PSCC and PAC patients from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2015 were extracted from Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database for case-control study. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards analysis were used in survival analysis. A 1:3 propensity-score matching (PSM) was performed to compare the overall survival (OS) and cancer specific survival (CSS) between PAC and PSCC in each variable. Results: PAC patients (n = 38 968) and PSCC patients (n = 124) were analyzed. After PSM, 372 PAC patients and 124 PSCC patients were obtained. PSCC tends to happen to elders, white and female with a predilection site of pancreatic head, followed by tail, then body. PSCC have a higher proportion to be poorly differentiated and metastatic when diagnosed. The prognosis of PSCC patients was significantly worse than PAC patients in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Surgery and chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for PSCC. Conclusions: PSCC patients were identified associated with a worse prognosis than PAC patients. PSCC tend to be poorly differentiated and more easily to be metastatic. Surgery and chemotherapy may be effective therapies to improve the OS of PSCC significantly.

Management of Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Pancreas: A Case Report

Introduction: Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas (SCCP) is a rare malignant tumor that has been reported in individual case reports only. The clinical data on primary SCCP treatment are limited. Therefore, the appropriate management strategy for this disease should be standardized. Case Presentation: We present the case of a 63-year-old man admitted to our hospital for upper left abdominal pain for 2 months without weight loss or jaundice. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen revealed a mixed solid and cystic lesion in the pancreatic tail, measuring 35 × 37 mm in maximum diameter with enhancement. The patient was diagnosed with primary SCCP without metastasis, based on radiological and pathological findings. He did not receive neoadjuvant therapy postoperatively and was followed up by CT and MRI for 18 months without recurrence or metastasis. Result: Complete resection is the most effective treatment for early stage primary SCCP. Abdominal MRI is an effective imaging tool for preoperative evaluation and postoperative follow-up of primary SCCP. The need for neoadjuvant therapy depends on various factors. Conclusion: Primary SCCP is a tumor with poor prognosis. Risk factor control, early accurate radiologic evaluation, and individualized treatment strategies improve the quality of life and prolong the overall survival period of patients.

The Efficacy of Combined Cisplatin and Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel in a Stage IV Pancreatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patient With a Somatic BRCA2 Mutation: A Case Report

Pancreatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare primary pancreatic malignancy with a poor prognosis. The median overall survival (OS) for metastatic setting is only 4 months and the optimal management remains poorly defined. In the present study, we report a 52-year-old female patient with stage IV primary SCC of the pancreas harboring a deleteous BRCA2 somatic mutation. After 10 cycles of chemotherapy of cisplatin combined with nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel, metastatic lesions in the liver and lymph nodes achieved radiographic complete responses and pancreatic lesion shrank from 5.7 to 1.5 cm in diameter. The patient subsequently underwent a posterior radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy with R0 resection and residual liver lesions were also resected. After 3 months, a tumor relapsed in the liver. She was then treated with olaparib combined with pembrolizumab and achieved stable disease on the liver lesion. The patient eventually died from cerebral hemorrhage with a long OS of 21 months. Our case demonstrated a favorable clinical activity and survival advantage of the combined cisplatin and nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel, which might serve as a therapeutic option for the patient with BRCA-mutant pancreatic SCC.

Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a Rare Pathological Report of Pancreatic Cancer

BACKGROUND

Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the pancreas is a rare tumor and associated with poor prognosis. The diagnosis and optimal management of patients is still a matter of debate and not well-defined. Limited chemotherapy protocols, radiotherapy and surgical resection of the tumor were proposed for the management of patients suffering from SCC of the pancreas.

CASE PRESENTATION

In this report, we introduced a 57-year-old man who was diagnosed with SCC of the pancreas along with liver metastasis. The patient underwent surgical resection and several adjuvant systemic chemotherapies including fluorouracil and taxane based regimens which were led to the 13- month overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Although, the patients died from underlying tumor, the survival time before death was one of the longest time/period reported.