Role of neoadjuvant treatment in resectable pancreatic cancer according to vessel invasion and increase of CA19‐9 levels

Abstract Background/Purpose The efficacy of neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) for resectable pancreatic cancer remains debatable, particularly in patients with portal vein (PV)/superior mesenteric vein (SMV) contact and elevated serum carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19‐9. This study investigated the clinical significance of PV/SMV contact and CA19‐9 levels, and the role of NAT in resectable pancreatic cancer. Methods A total of 775 patients who underwent surgery for resectable pancreatic cancer between 2007 and 2018 were included. Propensity score‐matched (PSM) analysis (1:3) was performed based on tumor size, lymph node enlargement, and PV/SMV contact. Subgroup analyses were performed according to PV/SMV contact and CA19‐9 level. Results Among the patients, 52 underwent NAT and 723 underwent upfront surgery. After PSM, NAT group showed better survival than upfront surgery group (median 30.0 vs 22.0 months, P = .047). In patients with PV/SMV contact, NAT tended to have better survival (30.0 vs 22.0 months, P = .069). CA19‐9 >150 U/mL was a poor prognostic factor, with NAT showing a significant survival difference compared with upfront surgery (34.0 vs 18.0 months, P = .004). Conclusions Neoadjuvant treatment showed better survival than upfront surgery in resectable pancreatic cancer. In patients with PV/SMV contact or CA19‐9 >150 U/mL, NAT showed a survival difference compared to upfront surgery; therefore, NAT could be considered in these patients.