The final results of a new regimen given intra-arterially for unresectable pancreatic cancer (UPC) are presented.
Patients and methods: From January 1994 to January 2006, 5-fluorouracil 1,000 mg/m2, leucovorin 100 mg/m2, epirubicin 60 mg/m2 and carboplatin 300 mg/m2 were administered every 3 weeks into the celiac axis (CA) angiografically (FLEC regimen) to 211 patients with UPC.
Results: Seven hundred and sixty-four cycles were administered. Grade 3-4 hematological toxicity was observed in 24%; ematemesis in 4%; grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicity in 3%; grade 3 alopecia in 15%. One sudden death, a pre-infarction angina and a transitory ischemic attack were observed. No complications related to the angiographic procedure took place, but three tunica intima dissections of the iliac artery occurred; 7.6% of patients with partial responses and 50.7% with stable disease were observed. Two hundred and one patients have died; median overall survival was 9.2 months: 10.5 and 6.6 for stage III and IV, respectively.
Conclusion: The FLEC regimen given intra-arterially is well-tolerated and effective in patients with UPC.