Faculty Collaboration Database

Phase I study of concomitant gemcitabine and IMRT for patients with unresectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head. Int J Gastrointest Cancer 2001;30(3):123-32

Date

01/24/2003

Pubmed ID

12540024

DOI

10.1385/IJGC:30:3:123

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0035786873 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   57 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: We hypothesized that dynamic intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) would protect normal tissues enough to allow the escalation of either the gemcitabine or radiotherapy dose in unresectable pancreatic cancer patients.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: The trial was designed to build on a previous phase I trial that determined the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of gemcitabine (350 mg/m2) with concurrent radiotherapy (30 Gy/10 fractions). Only patients with unresectable disease based on established criteria were eligible. The plan was to alternate escalating the radiation dose by 3 Gy and the gemcitabine dose by 50 mg/m2. The starting dose of gemcitabine was 350 mg/m2 and 33 Gy/11 fractions of IMRT to the regional lymphatics and primary disease. The NCI Common Toxicity Criteria were used for dose-limiting toxicity (DLT).

RESULTS: All three patients in the first cohort treated suffered DLT. Therefore, a second cohort of patients received a lower gemcitabine dose (250 mg/m2). Both patients treated at this dose level experienced DLT. The DLTs were all due to myelosuppression and upper gastrointestinal toxicity. All patients required a gemcitabine dose reduction. Also, four patients required hospital admission for supportive care, while the fifth died of an unrelated cause shortly after completing therapy. The trial was then closed due to excessive toxicity.

CONCLUSION: Hypofractionated dynamic IMRT to the primary site and regional lymphatics did not permit escalation of either the radiation or gemcitabine dose. Dynamic IMRT requires further investigation before it can be applied to toxic combinations of chemotherapy and radiation in the upper abdomen.

Author List

Crane CH, Antolak JA, Rosen II, Forster KM, Evans DB, Janjan NA, Charnsangavej C, Pisters PW, Lenzi R, Papagikos MA, Wolff RA

Author

Douglas B. Evans MD Chair, Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adenocarcinoma
Aged
Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
Cohort Studies
Combined Modality Therapy
Deoxycytidine
Female
Humans
Male
Maximum Tolerated Dose
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Staging
Pancreatic Neoplasms