Phase I study of biweekly gemcitabine followed by oxaliplatin and simplified 48‐h infusion of fluorouracil/leucovorin for advanced pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and maximal tolerated dose (MTD) of oxaliplatin of a triplet regimen consisting of gemcitabine, oxaliplatin and infusional fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin (LV) (GOFL) for advanced pancreatic cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with histologically proven metastatic or unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma were eligible to take part in the study. The treatment consisted of fixed-rate infusion (10 mg/m2/minute) of 800 mg/m2 gemcitabine followed by 2-h infusion of oxaliplatin and then 48-h infusion of 5-FU/LV day 1 and day 15 every 4 weeks. The oxaliplatin would be evaluated at three dose levels, 65, 75 and 85 mg/m2. RESULTS: A total of 15 patients were enrolled at three dose levels. Dose-limiting toxicity of neutropenic fever and grade 4 thrombocytopenia occurred in one of each six patients at oxaliplatin dose level of 65 mg/m2 and 85 mg/m2, respectively. The MTD of oxaliplatin for this combination was 85 mg/m2. After a median four cycles of treatment, grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 46.7% of patients and thrombocytopenia in 13.3%. Non-hematological toxicities were generally of grade 1/2. Objective tumor response was observed in five patients (33.3%, 95% confidence interval, 6.3-60.4%). CONCLUSION: Biweekly GOFL is a feasible regimen for advanced pancreatic cancer. For further phase II studies, the recommended dose of oxaliplatin is 85 mg/m2.