Study of Gemcitabine Plus Nab-Paclitaxel-Based Chemotherapy Regimen as First-Line Treatment in Metastatic Pancreatic Carcinoma

Kshitij Domadia; Varun Goel; Venkata Pradeep Babu Koyyala; Nivedita Patnaik; Krushna Chaudhari; Shubhra Raina; D C Doval; Vineet Talwar

doi:10.1055/s-0041-1735956

Study of Gemcitabine Plus Nab-Paclitaxel-Based Chemotherapy Regimen as First-Line Treatment in Metastatic Pancreatic Carcinoma

South Asian J Cancer. 2021 Dec 31;11(1):31-35. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1735956. eCollection 2022 Jan.

Authors

Kshitij Domadia¹, Varun Goel¹, Venkata Pradeep Babu Koyyala¹, Nivedita Patnaik², Krushna Chaudhari¹, Shubhra Raina¹, D C Doval¹, Vineet Talwar¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Oncology, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, New Delhi, India.
² Department of Pathology, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, New Delhi, India.

Abstract

Varun GoelBackground The purpose of this study was to study the effectiveness of gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel combination as first-line chemotherapy regimen for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer. There is scarcity of data regarding efficacy and toxicity profile of this combination in Indian population. Aims and Objectives The primary aim of this study was to assess efficacy of this regimen, for which evaluation done in terms of the objective response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival. Safety data were also evaluated. Materials and Methods In this prospective study, gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel combination chemotherapy was given as first line in metastatic pancreatic carcinoma patients till progression or appearance of grade 3/4 toxicities with treatment. Results The study was performed in 30 patients comprising 18 (60%) males and 12 (40%) females. The median age was 60 years. Median number of cycles administered were six cycles per patient. Seventeen patients (56.67%) had a partial response and 0% had complete response. A total of seven (23.3%) patients progressed on chemotherapy and six (20%) had stable disease (SD). The disease control rate (responses and SD) was 76.7%. The median PFS was 5.75 months. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of response rates and baseline CA 19-9 levels. Most common toxicities were hematological toxicities with rates of grade 3/4 anemia and neutropenia of 20%. Among nonhematological toxicities, nausea (46.67%) and fatigue (30%) were the commonest. Conclusion Combination of gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel is active and well tolerated in advanced pancreatic carcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such study conducted in India.

Keywords: gemcitabine; nab-paclitaxel; pancreatic carcinoma.

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