Gemcitabine Plus Nanoparticle Albumin-bound Paclitaxel for Patients with Inoperable Pancreatic Cancer: Experience at a Single Oncology Centre

Abstract

Objective: To review the outcomes of gemcitabine plus nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab)-paclitaxel for patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer.

Methods: The data of patients treated with this regimen at a single oncology centre in Hong Kong between December 2014 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient data assessed included serial tumour markers (carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and/or carcinoembryonic antigen) and ultrasound, computed tomography, or positron emission tomography-computed tomography scans. The primary objective was to evaluate progression-free and overall survival. The secondary objective was to evaluate the rate of treatment-related toxicities. All adverse events were graded with the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.

Results: The data of a total of 35 patients were analysed. The median age was 61 years and the majority (77%) had stage IV disease. Histological diagnosis was available in 74% of patients. The median number of cycles received was three. A total of 31% of patients required dose reduction of nab-paclitaxel. Median progression-free survival was 4.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.4-6.4), and median overall survival was 7.5 months (95% CI = 5.6-9.4). Overall, 51% of patients received second-line or third-line chemotherapy following disease progression. Grade ≥3 neutropoenia occurred in 29% of patients and febrile neutropoenia in 6%. Grade ≥3 peripheral neuropathy occurred in 9% of patients.

Conclusion: Gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel doublet chemotherapy is an effective and safe treatment for inoperable pancreatic cancer. Data from our centre are comparable to literature published to date. However, prognosis remains poor for this disease.