Phase I/II study of albumin-bound nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine administered to Chinese patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2013;71:1065-1072. [PMID: 23483298 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-013-2102-4]

Clinical sonochemotherapy of inoperable pancreatic cancer using diagnostic ultrasound and microbubbles: a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

Sonochemotherapy, which uses microbubble (MB)-assisted ultrasound (US) to deliver chemotherapeutic agents, has the potential to enhance tumour chemotherapy. The combination of US and MB has been demonstrated to prolong the survival of patients with pancreatic cancer. This phase 2 clinical trial aimed to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of sonochemotherapy for inoperable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by using US and MB.

METHODS

Eighty-two patients with stage III or IV pancreatic cancer were recruited from July 2018 to March 2021 and followed up until September 2022. US treatment was performed with a modified diagnostic US scanner for 30 min after chemotherapeutic infusion. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoints were Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status < 2, progression-free survival (PFS), disease control rate (DCR), and adverse events.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight patients were randomly allocated (40 to chemotherapy and 38 to sonochemotherapy). The median OS was longer with sonochemotherapy than with chemotherapy (9.10 vs. 6.10 months; p = 0.037). The median PFS with sonochemotherapy was 5.50 months, compared with 3.50 months (p = 0.080) for chemotherapy. The time of ECOG status < 2 was longer with sonochemotherapy (7.20 months) than with chemotherapy (5.00 months; p = 0.029). The DCR was 73.68% for sonochemotherapy compared with 42.50% for the control (p = 0.005). The incidence of overall adverse events was balanced between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of sonochemotherapy can extend the survival and well-being time of stage III or IV pancreatic cancer patients without any increase in serious adverse events.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChineseClinicalTrials.gov ChiCTR2100044721 CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: This multicentre, randomised, controlled trial has proven that sonochemotherapy, namely, the combination of diagnostic ultrasound, microbubbles, and chemotherapy, could extend the overall survival of patients with end-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma from 6.10 to 9.10 months without increasing any serious adverse events.

KEY POINTS

• This is the first multicentre, randomised, controlled trial of sonochemotherapy for clinical pancreatic cancer treatment using ultrasound and a commercial ultrasound contrast agent. • Sonochemotherapy extended the median overall survival from 6.10 (chemotherapy alone) to 9.10 months. • The disease control rate increased from 42.50% with chemotherapy to 73.68% with sonochemotherapy.

A Phase I Study of Gemcitabine/Nab-Paclitaxel/S-1 Chemotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Systemic chemotherapy is the primary treatment in patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). More effective treatment options are highly awaited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and feasibility of gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel/S-1 (GAS) chemotherapy on a 21-day cycle in patients with locally advanced or metastatic PDAC, determine the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of S-1 in this regimen, and explore preliminary efficacy.

METHODS

Eligible patients with locally advanced or metastatic PDAC received GAS chemotherapy on a 21-day cycle. Fixed-dose nab-paclitaxel (125 mg/m2) and gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2) were given intravenously on days 1 and 8. Different doses of S-1 were given orally twice daily from day 1 to day 14 in a 3+3 dose escalation design. According to patients` body surface area, the dose-escalation design was as follows: patients with a body surface area of 1.25-1.5 m2 received S-1 40 mg/day initially and the dose was increased to 60 mg or 80 mg. Patients with a body surface area of more than 1.5 m2 received S-1 60 mg/day initially and the dose was increased to 80 mg or 100 mg. The primary endpoints were to evaluate the toxicity and determine the DLT and MTD of S-1. The secondary endpoint was to evaluate efficacy, including best objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). adverse events (AEs) were evaluated according to the NCI-CTCAE 5.0. Tumor response was assessed using the RECIST 1.1.

RESULTS

A total of 21 eligible patients were included. Due to the infrequence of patients with a body surface area of 1.25-1.5 m2, only 2 patients were included in cohort of S-1 40 mg. The dose-escalation for patients in this group failed to be enrolled completely. For patients with a body surface area of more than 1.5 m2, 3 DLTs in 7 patients were detected at cohort of S-1 100 mg (grade 3 thrombocytopenia with hemorrhage, grade 3 rash, and grade 3 mucositis/stomatitis). S-1 80 mg/day (body surface area: >1.5 m2) was considered to be the MTD in GAS chemotherapy on a 21-day cycle. No grade 4 AEs or treatment-related deaths were observed. The most commonly occurring hematologic AE of any grade was anemia (38.1%). The most frequent nonhematologic AEs of any grade were peripheral neuropathy (38.1%), dyspepsia (23.8%), constipation (23.8%), and alopecia (23.8%). Response assessment showed that the best ORR was 36.8% (7 of 19 patients) and the DCR was 94.7% (18 of 19 patients). The median PFS was 5.3 (95% CI, 4.6 to 6.0) months and the median OS was 10.3 (95% CI, 8.1 to 12.5) months.

CONCLUSION

GAS chemotherapy (21-day cycle) with nab-paclitaxel 125 mg/m2, gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2, and S-1 80 mg/day (body surface area: >1.5 m2) was found to have acceptable toxicity and significant clinical control in patients with locally advanced or metastatic PDAC. We conclude that further trials with this combination are warranted. (Trial Identifier: ChiCTR1900027833 [chictr.org]).

Nab-Paclitaxel, Capecitabine, and Radiation Therapy After Induction Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced and Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer: Phase 1 Trial and Imaging-based Biomarker Validation

PURPOSE

Effective consolidative chemoradiation (CRT) regimens are lacking. In this phase 1 trial, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of nab-paclitaxel, capecitabine, and radiation therapy after induction chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced and borderline-resectable pancreatic cancer (LAPC and BRPC). Also, we evaluated a computed tomography (CT)-based biomarker of response.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Eligible patients had pathologically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, underwent computed tomography-imaging, received a diagnosis of LAPC or BRPC, and received induction chemotherapy. Standard 3 + 3 study design was used, with 3 escalating nab-paclitaxel dose levels (50, 75, and 100 mg/m²) with concurrent capecitabine and RT in cohort sizes of 3 starting at the lowest dose. Dose limiting toxicity was defined as grade 3 or higher toxicity. Patients were restaged 4 to 6 weeks post-CRT completion, and surgical resection was offered to those with stable/responsive disease. We scored the tumor interface response (IR) postchemotherapy and post-CRT into type I (remained/became more defined) and type II (became less defined). Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) from time of CRT were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. P ≤ .05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients started and finished on protocol (LAPC = 14, BRPC = 9). No grade 3 and 4 toxicities were reported in level 1 (n = 3) or level 2 (n = 3) initial groups. Two patients in the initial level 3 group developed dose limiting toxicity, establishing level 2 dose as the maximal tolerated dose. Level 2 group was expanded for additional 15 patients (for a total of 23 on trial), 5 of whom developed grade 3 toxicities. Seven patients underwent surgical resection. Median OS and PFS were 21.2 and 8.1 months, respectively. Type I IR was associated with better OS (P = .004) and PFS (P = .03) compared with type II IR.

CONCLUSIONS

We established the maximum tolerated dose for nab-paclitaxel in a consolidative CRT regimen for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Preliminary efficacy results warrant phase 2 trial evaluation. IR may be used for personalized treatment.

Mirogabalin vs pregabalin for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in pancreatic cancer patients

BACKGROUND

The prognosis of pancreatic cancer (PC) has been improved by new chemotherapy regimens (combination of 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and leucovorin (FOLFIRINOX) or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP)). Unfortunately, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common adverse event of these two regimens. The efficacy of pregabalin for CIPN has been reported in previous studies. However, the efficacy of mirogabalin for CIPN remains unknown. Thus, in this study, we aimed to clarify which drug (mirogabalin or pregabalin) was more valuable for improving CIPN.

METHODS

A total of 163 PC patients who underwent FOLFIRINOX or GnP between May 2014 and January 2021 were enrolled. Among them, 34 patients were diagnosed with CIPN. Thirteen patients were treated with mirogabalin (mirogabalin group), and twenty-one patients were treated with pregabalin (pregabalin group). Treatment efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

In both the mirogabalin group and the pregabalin group, the grade of patients with CIPN at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after the initiation of treatment showed significant improvement compared to the pretreatment grade. Notably, the rate of CIPN improvement was higher in the mirogabalin group than in the pregabalin group (2 weeks: 84.6% (11/13) vs 33.3% (7/21), P value = 0.005; 4 weeks, 6 weeks: 92.3% (12/13) vs 33.3% (7/21), P value = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although both mirogabalin and pregabalin were effective at improving CIPN, mirogabalin might be a suitable first choice for CIPN in PC patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Not applicable.

AGIG Chemo-Immunotherapy in Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Single-Arm, Single-Center, Phase 2 Study

Background

To date, chemotherapy remains the only effective treatment of unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In the past few years, the interest in immunological anticancer therapy rises sharply. AGIG is a novel chemo-immunotherapy regimen that combines nab-paclitaxel + gemcitabine chemotherapy with sequential recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) therapy. We conducted a single-arm prospective phase II study to determine the efficacy and safety of the first-line treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer with AGIG regimen.

Methods

Nab-paclitaxel (125 mg/m²) and gemcitabine (1000 mg/m²) were administered intravenously to all patients on days 1 and 8 triweekly, interleukin-2 (1000000U) and GM-CSF (100 µg) were administered subcutaneously on days 3-5 after chemotherapy. The primary end point was ORR by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1. Secondary end points included safety profile, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS). Patients’ conditions along with the efficacy and safety were assessed every two cycles.

Results

Between 11/2018 and 01/2020, sixty-four patients were enrolled. In the sixty-four evaluable patients, the disease control rate (DCR) and overall response rate (ORR) were 76.6% and 43.75%, respectively. The median follow-up time was 12.1 (range 7.1–22.4) months. The median PFS was 5.7 (range 1.63–15.8) months. The median OS was 14.2 (range 2.9–22.0) months. The most common adverse event was fever (75%). The incidence of III/IV grade neutropenia was 4.69%. In subgroup analyses, we found that eosinophil count in the blood elevated three times higher than baseline level predicted a longer survival.

Conclusions

The AGIG chemo-immunotherapy regimen has presented favorable ORR, OS, and manageable toxicities as first-line therapeutic strategy of advanced pancreatic cancer treatment. This regimen may be a novel reliable therapeutic option for patients with preserved performance status. The improvement of treatment efficiency may be related to the activation of non-specific immune response.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/. identifier NCT03768687.

Targeting the Stroma in the Management of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) presents extremely aggressive tumours and is associated with poor survival. This is attributed to the unique features of the tumour microenvironment (TME), which is known to create a dense stromal formation and poorly immunogenic condition. In particular, the TME of PC, including the stromal cells and extracellular matrix, plays an essential role in the progression and chemoresistance of PC. Consequently, several promising agents that target key components of the stroma have already been developed and are currently in multiple stages of clinical trials. Therefore, the authors review the latest available evidence on novel stroma-targeting approaches, highlighting the potential impact of the stroma as a key component of the TME in PC.

Nab-paclitaxel plus S-1 versus nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine as first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a randomized study

PURPOSE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of nab-paclitaxel plus S-1 (nab-P/S) versus nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine (nab-P/G) as first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

METHODS

Treatment-naïve patients with advanced PDAC were equally randomized to receive nab-P/S or nab-P/G. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR). The secondary endpoints were ORR of the primary lesion, disease control rate, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and safety. The trial was registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03636308.

RESULTS

A total of 110 patients were planned for enrollment, but the trial was prematurely closed because no better ORR was observed with nab-P/S among the first 40 patients assigned between 08/2018 and 06/2019. The ORR was numerically higher with nab-P/S versus nab-P/G (35.0% vs 25.0%, P = 0.49). The ORRs of the primary lesion for both arms were similar (30.0% and 25.0%, P = 0.72). Disease control rate was 70.0% in each arm. There was no significant difference in PFS and OS between the two arms (median PFS, 6.3 vs 5.7 months, P = 0.34; median OS, 10.2 vs 10.2 months, P = 0.92). Risks of hematological toxicity, liver injury and rash were significantly decreased in the nab-P/S arm.

CONCLUSIONS

A biweekly combination of nab-P/S yielded comparable efficacy with nab-P/G but improved safety profile. It may be a promising and convenient alternative as first-line and neoadjuvant settings for advanced PDAC.

Real World First-Line Treatments and Outcomes of Nab-Paclitaxel Plus Gemcitabine, mFOLFIRINOX and GEMOX in Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer from a Chinese Single Institution

Background: There have not been any head-to-head prospective studies to compare the effects of different chemotherapy regimens as first-line treatments for unresectable pancreatic cancer (UPC). We aimed to compare the effectiveness of nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine, mFOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin (GEMOX) as first-line treatments by using real-world data from Chinese patients. Methods: We retrospectively included patients with UPC treated with nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine, mFOLFIRINOX or GEMOX as a first-line treatment at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were assessed. Results: A total of 117 patients were administered nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine (n = 62), mFOLFIRINOX (n = 30) or GEMOX (n = 25) as first-line chemotherapy. The median OS was 11.1, 10.1 and 10.2 months (p = 0.75) in the nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine, mFOLFIRINOX and GEMOX, respectively. The ORR was similar among the three groups (24%, 23% and 32%, p = 0.76) and the DCR was higher in the nab-paclitaxel-gemcitabine group (82%) than the other two groups (60% and 64%, p = 0.04). The most common adverse events of grade 3 or 4 were neutropenia (32%, 28% and 5%), peripheral neuropathy (13%, 16% and 0) and fatigue (9%, 16% and 5%). Febrile neutropenia occurred in 2%, 4% and 5% of the patients in the three groups. Conclusion: In the first line treatment of UPC, our results suggest that nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine was associated with a higher DCR than mFOLFIRINOX or GEMOX, while all groups demonstrated similar OS, PFS and ORR.

Efficacy and Safety of Nab-Paclitaxel Plus S-1 versus Nab-Paclitaxel Plus Gemcitabine for First-Line Chemotherapy in Advanced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Objective

Nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine (nab-P/G) has been established as a standard first-line treatment in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). S-1, as an oral fluoropyrimidine derivative, demonstrated effective for PDAC. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of first-line chemotherapy with nab-paclitaxel plus S-1 (nab-P/S) versus nab-P/G in patients with advanced PDAC.

Methods

Patients with advanced PDAC receiving nab-P/S (n = 65) or nab-P/G (n = 45) as first-line chemotherapy between November 2013 and June 2019 were reviewed.

Results

The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate were numerically higher with nab-P/S than with nab-P/G (38.5% vs 28.9%, P = 0.30, 73.8% vs 66.7%, P = 0.42, respectively). ORRs of the primary lesion were similar for both groups (30.8% and 22.2%, P = 0.32). The median progression-free survival and overall survival were comparable between the two groups (5.5 vs 5.7 months, P = 0.34, 10.2 vs 11.3 months, P = 0.74, respectively). Nab-P/S was associated with a numerically lower risk of adverse events, especially hematologic adverse events.

Conclusion

Nab-P/S could be a convenient alternative with similar efficacy and a favorable safety profile compared with nab-P/G as first-line chemotherapy for advanced PDAC, as well as an option for neoadjuvant therapy.

Phase I/II trial of sequential treatment of nab-paclitaxel in combination with gemcitabine followed by modified FOLFOX chemotherapy in patients with untreated metastatic exocrine pancreatic cancer: Phase I results

BACKGROUND

Although occasioned through different mechanisms, the potential neurotoxicity and also haematological toxicity of nab-paclitaxel and oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy regimen were studied in this trial, which aimed to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and to evaluate safety and efficacy of the combination in a sequential regimen of nab-paclitaxel, gemcitabine (GEM) and modified FOLFOX (mFOLFOX) in untreated patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Treatment consisted of nab-paclitaxel (125/100 mg/m2) plus GEM (1000/800 mg/m2) on days 1, 8 and 15, followed by mFOLFOX (oxaliplatin [85/75/65 mg/m2], 5-FU bolus [400/300/200 mg/m2], 5-FU infusion [2400/2000/1600 mg/m2]) on day 28, of a 42-day cycle. Patients were enrolled at the highest dose level with a subsequent 3 + 3 dose de-escalation plan.

RESULTS

Eleven patients (median age = 61, 64% with performance status [PS] = 1) were eligible. All patients received the highest dose level. No de-escalation was needed. A dose-limiting toxicity was reported, an upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. The MTD was nab-paclitaxel 125 mg/m2, GEM 1000 mg/m2, oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2, 5-FU bolus 400 mg/m2 and 5-FU infusion 2400 mg/m2. Common all-grade toxicities were neutropenia (73%), anaemia (55%), thrombocytopenia (55%) and asthenia (55%). Other relevant toxicities were paraesthesia (46%), nausea (36%), dysesthesia (27%) and pyrexia (27%). Objective response rate was 50% and disease control rate was 80%.

CONCLUSIONS

The regimen of nab-paclitaxel plus GEM followed by mFOLFOX showed favourable safety and tolerability profiles with significant anti-tumor activity. More data are being achieved in a randomised phase II trial, to confirm efficacy rates and dismiss long-term neurotoxicity concerns regarding the sequencing of nab-paclitaxel and oxaliplatin.

Evaluation of Phase II Trial Design in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated how well phase II trials in locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer (LAMPC) meet current recommendations for trial design.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of phase II first-line treatment trial for LAMPC. We assessed baseline characteristics, type of comparison, and primary end point to examine adherence to the National Cancer Institute recommendations for trial design.

RESULTS

We identified 148 studies (180 treatment arms, 7505 participants). Forty-seven (32%) studies adhered to none of the 5 evaluated National Cancer Institute recommendations, 62 (42%) followed 1, 31 (21%) followed 2, and 8 (5%) followed 3 recommendations. Studies varied with respect to the proportion of patients with good performance status (range, 0%-80%) and locally advanced disease (range, 14%-100%). Eighty-two (55%) studies concluded that investigational agents should progress to phase III testing; of these, 24 (16%) had documented phase III trials. Three (8%) phase III trials demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements for investigational agents. One of 38 phase II trials that investigated biological investigational agents was enriched for a biomarker.

CONCLUSIONS

Phase II trials do not conform well to current recommendations for trial design in LAMPC.

Nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine as first-line treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To evaluate the effectiveness of nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine (NG) as a first-line treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the impact on the objective response rate (ORR), survival rate and grade 3/4 adverse events. Of the 2,056 patients included from 26 studies, the median overall survival ranged from 6.9 months to 24.7 months, with a 1-year survival rate of 45.2% (95%CI: 35.8% -54.5%). The 6-month progression-free survival rate was 41.0% (95%CI: 30.5% - 51.4%), and the ORR was 31.6% (95%CI: 26.7% - 36.6%). Fifty locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) patients underwent surgery and had an R0 resection rate of 52.0%. No death was caused by toxicity, and 1,329 grade 3/4 adverse events were reported in 1,353 patients. NG has been proven to reduce tumours with an acceptable toxicity profile in metastatic pancreatic cancer. This analysis further demonstrates the efficacy and safety of NG for treating LAPC.

Concentration changes in gemcitabine and its metabolites after hyperthermia in pancreatic cancer cells assessed using RP-HPLC

Background

Gemcitabine (2′,2′-difluoro-2′-deoxycytidine;dFdC) is a first-line chemotherapy drug for pancreatic cancer. Recently, a synergistic anti-tumor treatment of dFdC and hyperthermia has achieved good clinical results, but there are few reports on the molecular mechanism influenced by hyperthermia. This study is an initial exploration of the effects of hyperthermia on changes in the concentration of dFdC and its metabolites in pancreatic cancer cells. The aim is to provide a theoretical basis for clinical detection and pharmacokinetic research.

Methods

PANC-1 cells at logarithmic growth phase were used as the experimental object. The MTT assay was performed to determine the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of dFdC. After PANC-1 cells were cultured in DMEM medium containing IC₅₀dFdC and treated with hyperthermia at 41 °C or 43 °C, changes in the concentration of dFdC, 2′,2′-difluorodeoxyuridine (dFdU) and difluorodeoxycytidine triphosphate (dFdCTP) in the cells were tested using an optimized reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) protocol.

Results

We found that 41 °C and 43 °Chyperthermia gave rise to a decrease in dFdC and dFdU content. At 41 °C, the levels respectively fell to 9.28 and 30.93% of the baseline, and at 43 °C, to 24.76 and 57.80%, respectively. The dFdCTP content increased by 21.82% at 41 °C and 42.42% at 43 °C.

Conclusion

The two heat treatments could alter the mechanism of dFdC metabolism in PANC-1 cells. The effect of 43 °C hyperthermia is more significant. Our observations may be instrumental to explaining the higher anti-tumor efficacy of this combination therapy.

Efficacy and safety of weekly nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine in Chinese patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas: a phase II study

BACKGROUND

This phase II bridging study assessed the safety and efficacy of nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine (Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Clinical Trial [MPACT] regimen) in Chinese patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC).

METHODS

This 3-part sequential study evaluated nab-paclitaxel 125 mg/m2 plus gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15 every 4 weeks. Part 1 evaluated safety. Part 2 evaluated efficacy using Simon's optimal 2-stage design: if >2 responses were observed in Stage 1 (n = 28), 54 additional patients would be enrolled in Stage 2. If >9 responses were observed, the study was complete. Otherwise, nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine would be compared with gemcitabine alone in Part 3. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included duration of response (DOR), overall survival (OS), and safety.

RESULTS

Eighty-three patients were treated. The prespecified primary endpoint was met: the independently assessed ORR in Stages 1 + 2 was 35% (95% CI, 24.8-46.2); therefore, Part 3 was not initiated. The median DOR was 8.9 months (95% CI, 6.01-8.94). The median OS and progression-free survival were 9.2 (95% CI, 7.6-11.1) and 5.5 (95% CI, 5.29-7.16) months, respectively. The 12-month OS rate was 30%. In an updated analysis, the median OS was 9.3 months and the 12-month OS rate was 32%. Longer OS was observed in patients with baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≤ 5 vs > 5. The most common grade ≥ 3 adverse events were leukopenia (35%), neutropenia (34%), anemia (15%), thrombocytopenia (10%), and fatigue (13%). Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy occurred in 7% of patients (no grade 4 reported).

CONCLUSIONS

The MPACT regimen of nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine is efficacious in Chinese patients with MPC. No new safety signals were observed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT02135822 , May 8, 2014.

High Dose Parenteral Ascorbate Inhibited Pancreatic Cancer Growth and Metastasis: Mechanisms and a Phase I/IIa study

Pancreatic cancer is among the most lethal cancers with poorly tolerated treatments. There is increasing interest in using high-dose intravenous ascorbate (IVC) in treating this disease partially because of its low toxicity. IVC bypasses bioavailability barriers of oral ingestion, provides pharmacological concentrations in tissues, and exhibits selective cytotoxic effects in cancer cells through peroxide formation. Here, we further revealed its anti-pancreatic cancer mechanisms and conducted a phase I/IIa study to investigate pharmacokinetic interaction between IVC and gemcitabine. Pharmacological ascorbate induced cell death in pancreatic cancer cells with diverse mutational backgrounds. Pharmacological ascorbate depleted cellular NAD+ preferentially in cancer cells versus normal cells, leading to depletion of ATP and robustly increased α-tubulin acetylation in cancer cells. While ATP depletion led to cell death, over-acetylated tubulin led to inhibition of motility and mitosis. Collagen was increased, and cancer cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was inhibited, accompanied with inhibition in metastasis. IVC was safe in patients and showed the possibility to prolong patient survival. There was no interference to gemcitabine pharmacokinetics by IVC administration. Taken together, these data revealed a multi-targeting mechanism of pharmacological ascorbate's anti-cancer action, with minimal toxicity, and provided guidance to design larger definitive trials testing efficacy of IVC in treating advanced pancreatic cancer.

Nano albumin bound-paclitaxel in pancreatic cancer: Current evidences and future directions

Pancreatic cancer (PDAC) is an aggressive and chemoresistant disease, representing the fourth cause of cancer related deaths in western countries. Majority of patients have unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic disease at time of diagnosis and the 5-year survival rate in these conditions is extremely low. For more than a decade gemcitabine has been the cornerstone of metastatic PDAC treatment, although survival benefit was very poor. PDAC cells are surrounded by an intense desmoplastic reaction that may create a barrier to the drugs penetration within the tumor. Recently PDAC stroma has been addressed as a potential therapeutic target. Nano albumin bound (Nab)-paclitaxel is an innovative molecule depleting tumor stroma, through interaction between albumin and secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine. Addition of nab-paclitaxel to gemcitabine has showed activity and efficacy in metastatic PDAC first-line treatment improving survival and overall response rate vs gemcitabine alone in the MPACT phase III study. This combination represents one of the standards of care in advanced PDAC therapy and is suitable to a broader spectrum of patients compared to other schedules. Nab-paclitaxel is under investigation as a backbone of chemotherapy in novel combinations with target agents or immunotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic PDAC. In this article, we provide an updated and critical overview about the role of nab-paclitaxel in PDAC treatment based on the latest advances in preclinical and clinical research. Furthermore, we focus on the use of nab-paclitaxel within the context of metastatic PDAC treatment landscape and we discuss about future implications in the light of current clinical ongoing trials.

Bcl-2/Bcl-xL inhibitor ABT-737 sensitizes pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma to paclitaxel-induced cell death

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is an aggressive malignant disease that is resistant to various chemotherapeutic agents and commonly relapses. Efficient elimination of metastasized PDA is critical for a positive post-surgical treatment outcome. The present study analyzed the effect of the B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)/B-cell lymphoma extra-large (Bcl-x_L) inhibitor, ABT-737, on paclitaxel-induced PDA cell death. A total of 8 PDA cell lines were subjected to immunoblotting to compare the expression of Bcl-2/Bcl-x_L and other factors associated with taxane resistance, including myeloid cell leukemia 1 and βIII-tubulin (TUBB3). The viability of PDA cells was analyzed following treatment with paclitaxel alone or a combination treatment with ABT-737 and paclitaxel. Treatment with the ABT-737/paclitaxel combination induced PDA cell death at a lower concentration of paclitaxel compared with paclitaxel alone. In addition, the viable cell population at the saturation point of paclitaxel was also decreased by co-treatment with ABT-737. ABT-737 lowered the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) by >2-fold in PDA cells with high Bcl-2/Bcl-x_L expression, but not in PDA cells with low Bcl-2/Bcl-x_L expression and high TUBB3 expression. Knockdown of Bcl-x_L lowered the IC₅₀ of paclitaxel, but knockdown of TUBB3 did not. ABT-737 sensitized PDA to paclitaxel-induced cell death, and Bcl-x_L expression was a key determinant of its sensitivity. ABT-737 is potential candidate for combination chemotherapy of PDA with high Bcl-x_L expression levels.

nab-Paclitaxel for the treatment of pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-P) plus gemcitabine (Gem) became a standard treatment option for metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC) following positive results from a global phase III trial (MPACT). A large number of studies have now published results on the use of nab-P/Gem to treat advanced and early-stage disease, warranting a comprehensive review. The main goal of this systematic review is to summarize the efficacy and safety data of nab-P/Gem for the treatment of pancreatic cancer (PC).

METHODS

This systematic review includes results from studies that either published results in a peer-reviewed journal or presented the results at a major oncology conference.

RESULTS

Sixty-two studies were included (50 in the advanced/metastatic setting and 12 in the locally advanced setting). Most studies on the treatment of MPC were exclusively first line (33/50). Nevertheless, the studies in this review comprised a broad spectrum of patients, including those <65 and ≥65 years of age and those with a Karnofsky performance status of 70-100. Median overall survival (OS) in studies of nab-P/Gem in the advanced/metastatic setting ranged from 8.7 to 13.5 months. In addition, 15 studies of patients with advanced/metastatic PC examined nab-P/Gem as a backbone on which to add a variety of agents, including cancer stem cell inhibitors, stromal disrupting agents, and immune-modulating agents (median OS, 6.9-17 months). Ongoing trials are investigating nab-P/Gem with or without other agents across disease settings.

DISCUSSION

Studies conducted after MPACT have demonstrated that nab-P/Gem is an effective regimen for the first-line treatment of MPC for a wide range of patients. Regimens using nab-P/Gem as a backbone on which to combine additional agents are being studied actively, particularly in the advanced disease setting. Ongoing studies will yield valuable insights on the utility of nab-P-containing regimens to improve patient outcomes in PC in both earlier-stage and advanced disease.

Molecular Targeted Intervention for Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains one of the worst cancers, with almost uniform lethality. PC risk is associated with westernized diet, tobacco, alcohol, obesity, chronic pancreatitis, and family history of pancreatic cancer. New targeted agents and the use of various therapeutic combinations have yet to provide adequate treatments for patients with advanced cancer. To design better preventive and/or treatment strategies against PC, knowledge of PC pathogenesis at the molecular level is vital. With the advent of genetically modified animals, significant advances have been made in understanding the molecular biology and pathogenesis of PC. Currently, several clinical trials and preclinical evaluations are underway to investigate novel agents that target signaling defects in PC. An important consideration in evaluating novel drugs is determining whether an agent can reach the target in concentrations effective to treat the disease. Recently, we have reported evidence for chemoprevention of PC. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of current updates on molecularly targeted interventions, as well as dietary, phytochemical, immunoregulatory, and microenvironment-based approaches for the development of novel therapeutic and preventive regimens. Special attention is given to prevention and treatment in preclinical genetically engineered mouse studies and human clinical studies.

Current status and progress of pancreatic cancer in China

Cancer is currently one of the most important public health problems in the world. Pancreatic cancer is a fatal disease with poor prognosis. As in most other countries, the health burden of pancreatic cancer in China is increasing, with annual mortality rates almost equal to incidence rates. The increasing trend of pancreatic cancer incidence is more significant in the rural areas than in the urban areas. Annual diagnoses and deaths of pancreatic cancer in China are now beyond the number of cases in the United States. GLOBOCAN 2012 estimates that cases in China account for 19.45% (65727/337872) of all newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer and 19.27% (63662/330391) of all deaths from pancreatic cancer worldwide. The population's growing socioeconomic status contributes to the rapid increase of China's proportional contribution to global rates. Here, we present an overview of control programs for pancreatic cancer in China focusing on prevention, early diagnosis and treatment. In addition, we describe key epidemiological, demographic, and socioeconomic differences between China and developed countries. Facts including no nationwide screening program for pancreatic cancer, delay in early detection resulting in a late stage at presentation, lack of awareness of pancreatic cancer in the Chinese population, and low investment compared with other cancer types by government have led to backwardness in China's pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment. Finally, we suggest measures to improve health outcomes of pancreatic cancer patients in China.

Efficacy of taxane-based regimens in a first-line setting for recurrent and/or metastatic Chinese patients with esophageal cancer

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of taxane-based regimens in the first line setting retrospectively in Chinese patients with recurrent and/or metastatic esophageal cancer.

METHODS

We analyzed 102 recurrent and/or metastatic esophageal cancer patients who received taxanes-based regimens in a first-line setting from January 2009 to December 2013. Sixteen (15.7%) patients were administered Nab-PTX based chemotherapy and 86 patients (84.3%) received paclitaxel (PTX) or docetaxel (DTX) based chemotherapy. Patients in the PTX/DTX group could be further divided into TP (71 patients) and TPF (15 patients) groups.

RESULTS

The objective response rate (ORR) of all patients was 20.6%, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 67.6%. The median overall survival (OS) was 10.5 months (95% CI 10.1-16.4) and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 6.04 months (95% CI 5.09-7.91). The DCR was higher in the TPF group than the TP group (93.3% vs. 59.1%; p = 0.015 ). There were no significant differences in ORR, OS, and PFS among Nab-PTX, TPF and TP groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The three regimens of Nab-PTX based, TP and TPF proved active in a first line setting of Chinese patients with recurrent and/or metastatic esophageal cancer, and should thus be regarded as alternative treatments.

Opportunities for translation: targeting DNA repair pathways in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the poorest prognosis neoplasms. It is typified by high levels of genomic aberrations and copy-number variation, intra-tumoural heterogeneity and resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Improved therapeutic options, ideally targeted against cancer-specific biological mechanisms, are urgently needed. Although induction of DNA damage and/or modulation of DNA damage response pathways are associated with the activity of a number of conventional PDAC chemotherapies, the effectiveness of this approach in the treatment of PDAC has not been comprehensively reviewed. Here, we review chemotherapeutic agents that have shown anti-cancer activity in PDAC and whose mechanisms of action involve modulation of DNA repair pathways. In addition, we highlight novel potential targets within these pathways based on the emerging understanding of PDAC biology and their exploitation as targets in other cancers.

Nab-paclitaxel for metastatic pancreatic cancer: clinical outcomes and potential mechanisms of action

For almost 15 years there has been stagnation in the systemic treatment of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Recently, several developments seem to indicate clinically relevant improvements in the treatment of patients with metastatic disease. One of these developments is the introduction of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) into the firstline treatment of metastatic disease. In this review, underlying preclinical and clinical data are discussed, with a special focus on mechanisms of action, the potential interaction with albumin and calcium-binding matricellular glycoproteins, such as the secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), as well as the clinical outcome associated with the use of nab-paclitaxel.

Nab-paclitaxel: potential for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer

Advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a deadly disease and is considered incurable. For the past two decades, gemcitabine remained the major chemotherapeutic drug with modest clinical benefit. Many chemotherapy and targeted agents were combined with gemcitabine but failed to demonstrate improvement in pancreatic cancer (PC) survival. Taxanes (paclitaxel, docetaxel) were introduced in the clinic as anti-microtubule agents and showed activity against PC cells in vitro; however, clinical efficacy was limited. Nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) is an albumin-bound paclitaxel that has shown clinical activity in advanced breast and lung cancer. Recently, nab-paclitaxel was tested in a large Phase III clinical trial in combination with gemcitabine for the treatment of advanced PC. The data showed that the addition of nab-paclitaxel improved the response rate (7% in gemcitabine alone versus 23% in combination), progression-free survival (from 3.7 months to 5.5 months), and overall survival from 6.7 months to 8.5 months, compared to single agent gemcitabine. Through this review, we provide the preclinical and clinical progress in the development of nab-paclitaxel for the treatment of metastatic PC.

nab-Paclitaxel Plus Gemcitabine Regimen for Pancreatic Cancer

The complexity of cancer chemotherapy requires pharmacists be familiar with the complicated regimens and highly toxic agents used. This column reviews various issues related to preparation, dispensing, and administration of antineoplastic therapy, and the agents, both commercially available and investigational, used to treat malignant diseases. Questions or suggestions for topics should be addressed to Dominic A. Solimando, Jr, President, Oncology Pharmacy Services, Inc, 4201 Wilson Blvd #110-545, Arlington, VA 22203, e-mail: OncRxSvc@comcast.net; or J. Aubrey Waddell, Professor, University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy; Oncology Pharmacist, Pharmacy Department, Blount Memorial Hospital, 907 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804, e-mail: waddfour@charter.net.

Folate-chitosan-gemcitabine core-shell nanoparticles targeted to pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVE

Human pancreatic cancer is one of the most common clinical malignancies. The effect of comprehensive treatment based on surgery is general. The effects of chemotherapy were not obvious mainly because of lack of targeting and chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer. This study aimed to investigate the effects of folate receptor (FR)-mediated gemcitabine FA-Chi-Gem nanoparticles with a core-shell structure by electrostatic spray on pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

In this study, the levels of expression of FR in six human pancreatic cancer cell lines were studied by immunohistochemical analysis. The uptake rate of isothiocyanate-labeled FA-Chi nanoparticles in FR high expression cell line COLO357 was assessed by fluorescence microscope and the inhibition rate of FA-Chi-Gem nanoparticles on COLO357 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. Moreover, the biodistribution of PEG-FA-ICGDER02-Chi in the orthotopic pancreatic tumor model was observed using near-infrared imaging and the human pancreatic cancer orthotopic xenografts were treated with different nanoparticles and normal saline control.

RESULTS

The expression of FR in COLO357 was the highest among the six pancreatic cancer cell lines. The FR mainly distributed on cell membrane and fewer in the cytoplasm in pancreatic cancer. Moreover, the absorption rate of the FA-Chi-Gem nanoparticles was more than the Chi nanoparticles without FA modified. The proliferation of COLO357 was significantly inhibited by FA-Chi-Gem nanoparticles. The PEG-FA-ICGDER02-Chi nanoparticles were enriched in tumor tissue in human pancreatic cancer xenografts, while non-targeted nanoparticles were mainly in normal liver tissue. PEG-FA-Gem-Chi significantly inhibited the growth of human pancreatic cancer xenografts (PEG-FA-Gem-Chi vs. Gem, t=22.950, P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

PEG-FA-FITC-Chi nanoparticles might be an effective targeted drug for treating human FR-positive pancreatic cancer.

Tumor delivery of chemotherapy combined with inhibitors of angiogenesis and vascular targeting agents

Numerous angiogenesis-vascular targeting agents have been admitted to the ranks of cancer therapeutics; most are used in polytherapy regimens. This review looks at recent progress and our own preclinical experience in combining angiogenesis inhibitors, mainly acting on VEGF/VEGFR pathways, and vascular targeting agents with conventional chemotherapy, discussing the factors that determine the outcome of these treatments. Molecular and morphological modifications of the tumor microenvironment associated with drug distribution and activity are reviewed. Modalities to improve drug delivery and strategies for optimizing combination therapy are examined.