Abstract CT061: Novel safety of high dose ascorbic acid and induction chemotherapy for high risk pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Abstract Background: High dose ascorbic acid has been reported to have in vitro anticancer activity. Low dose combination chemotherapy with GFLIP (gemcitabine, 5fu, leucovorin, irinotecan, oxaliplatin) is an effective regimen for patients with pancreatic cancer. Combining high dose ascorbic acid with GFLIP may be a synergistic and well tolerated treatment regimen. Methods: High dose ascorbic acid with a range of 75-100 grams IV given on an average 1-2 times per week was combined with GFLIP given on a 2 week schedule for patients with pancreatic cancer. Eligibility criteria include locally advanced, unresectable, recurrent and metastatic disease. Patients who progressed on prior treatment, ECOG 0-2, were also included. There was no age cut off. Results: 26 patients were treated, 9 patients were ≥ 70 years of age (35%). 25 out of 26 patients had stage IV disease (96%). Nine out of 26 patients had received at least one prior chemotherapy regimen (35%). Five out of 26 patients had a grade 3 neutropenia (19%) there was no grade 4 neutropenia. One out of 26 patients (4%) had a grade 3 anemia and thrombocytopenia. There was no neutropenic fever and no limiting gastrointestinal (diarrhea, stomatitis) toxicity. This study included patients with a performance status of 2, patients who had progressed on prior chemotherapy and older patients. Conclusion: High dose ascorbic acid combined with GFLIP chemotherapy is a safe and well tolerated treatment regimen for high risk patients with pancreatic cancer. This level of safety justifies the further study of this treatment regimen especially for high risk patients who would not be eligible for standard high dose combination chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer. Citation Format: Howard W. Bruckner, Azriel Hirschfeld, Daniel Gurell, King Lee. Novel safety of high dose ascorbic acid and induction chemotherapy for high risk pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr CT061. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-CT061