Abstract
Background: Pancreas cancer remains a formidable challenge. We report the first prospective analysis of the 3-drug combination of gemcitabine (G), docetaxel (T) and capecitabine (X) (mGTX) with schedule modification to maximize biomodulation of X. Methods: We conducted a dose escalation study of mGTX in first-line treatment of metastatic pancreas cancer using three dose levels (DL 1-3). Patients received docetaxel on days 1 and 8, gemcitabine on days 8 and 15, and capecitabine on days 8 through 21. Gemcitabine dose was fixed at 750 mg/m2 over 75 min, capecitabine was given twice daily and escalated from 500 to 650 mg/m2 at DL2 and docetaxel increased from 30 to 36 mg/m2 at DL3. Results: Twenty-one patients (18 evaluable) were enrolled in the study. MTD was reached at DL3 and one DLT was observed at DL2 (prolonged neutropenia). The most common grade 3/4 toxicities were leukopenia (29%) and neutropenia (29%) and fatigue (25%). Tumor growth control rate was 80% (11% PR; 69% SD lasting at least 3 months). Median progression-free-survival was 5.8 months (95% CI 2.7, 10.6) and median overall survival was 7.4 months (95% CI 3.8 16.8). CA 19-9 decreased by at least 50% from baseline in half the patients. Conclusion: mGTX demonstrates acceptable tolerability with interesting activity in patients with pancreatic cancer. The recommended doses for phase II studies are docetaxel 36 mg/m2 days 1 and 8, gemcitabine 750 mg/m2 over 75 min days 8 and 15, and capecitabine 625 mg/m 2 twice daily days 8 through 21.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 511-517 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Cancer chemotherapy and pharmacology |
Volume | 67 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2011 |
Keywords
- Adenocarcinoma
- Capecitabine
- Docetaxel
- Gemcitabine
- Pancreas
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Cancer Research
- Pharmacology (medical)