Clinical research in pancreatic cancer: The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group trials

Abstract

Purpose To summarize the clinical research activities of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group program in the treatment of patients with locally advanced, as well as resected, pancreatic cancer. Methods and materials Phase II and III clinical trials are underway, examining novel cytotoxic and targeted agents with irradiation (RT) for patients with locally advanced and resected pancreatic cancer. Results A Phase II study incorporating concurrent paclitaxel with external beam radiotherapy in the locally advanced setting has been completed and recently analyzed. This experience has served as the foundation of a Phase II study using concurrent paclitaxel and gemcitabine with RT followed by R115777, a farnesyltransferase inhibitor, as maintenance therapy. In the adjuvant treatment of pancreatic cancer, an Intergroup Phase III trial has compared “conventional” postoperative chemoirradiation (5-fluorouracil before, after, and during RT) and gemcitabine before and after RT (with 5-fluorouracil during RT). This study has recently closed, meeting its accrual goal. The successor study will evaluate the use of gemcitabine given concurrently with RT, as well as in a maintenance schedule. Conclusion This report summarizes current and future Radiation Therapy Oncology Group clinical trials in the treatment of patients with localized pancreatic cancer.