Second-line Modified GTX versus Gemcitabine-Nab-Paclitaxel (GmAb) Following First-Line FOLFIRINOX in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC)

Abstract

Background: Pancreatic cancer is characterized by its generally poor prognosis and ranks seventh worldwide in cancer-related mortality. We previously conducted a prospective study on the use of modified GTX regimen (a combination of gemcitabine, docetaxel, and capecitabine), which has appreciable activity and is well-tolerated, in this setting. We compared the efficacy of GTX regimen versus Gemcitabine-nabpaclitaxel (GmAb) as second-line chemotherapy in advanced pancreatic cancer patients receiving first-line therapy with FOLFIRINOX.Method: This retrospective chart review aimed to collect and record data corresponding to patients diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer at the American University of Beirut Medical Center who received FOLFIRINOX as first-line chemotherapy and who then had GTX or GmAb as second-line treatment between 2013 and 2019. We measured the progression-free survival, overall survival, and toxicity of GTX versus GmAb as second-line treatment for pancreatic adenocarcinoma at AUBMC.Results: The median overall survival for the GmAb group was around 52 months, which is greater than that of the GTX group, which was 25 months. 26.7% of patients who received GTX required dose reduction starting from cycle one, while only 3.1% of those who received GmAb required dose reduction from cycle one. 38.7% of patients who received GmAb did not have anemia throughout the course of treatment, while the majority of patients who received GTX, 93.3%, had grade I anemia.Conclusion: Our data show that GmAb is a possibly better second-line treatment option than GTX with better tolerance to the dose, less anemia, and a better survival profile. More studies are needed with a larger sample size and a prospective design to prove such a possible difference between the two regimens.

Keywords

• gemcitabine
• folfirinox
• pancreatic neoplasms
• second-line chemotherapy