Efficacy of nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine (AG) vs. FOLFIRINOX as first line chemotherapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC): Real world experiences.

Abstract

354 Background: AG and FOLFIRINOX have been established as standard first-line treatment in mPC patients based on the improved efficacy compared to gemcitabine monotherapy. Because there was no head-to-head comparison between these regimens, however, there is lack of data which regimen is preferable in patients with mPC. Therefore, we performed retrospective analysis comparing the efficacy of AG and FOLFIRINOX in daily practice setting. Methods: We analyzed a total of 308 patients with confirmed mPC who received AG (n = 149) or FOLFIRINOX (n = 159) as first-line treatment between 2013 and 2016 at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) and secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall response rates (ORR). Results: Median age was slightly older in AG group than FOLFIRINOX group (62 vs. 60 years, p = 0.02). Except this, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of baseline characteristics including sex (male, AG/FOLFIRNOX): 56%/67%, ECOG performance status (0-1): 97%/99%, pancreatic head location: 32%/40%, and baseline CA19-9 level ( > UNL): 77%/82%. ORR (28% vs. 31%) and disease control rate (74% vs. 74%) did not differ between two groups (p = 0.45, and p = 0.96, respectively). Although there was no significant difference in PFS between the two groups (AG: median 6.8 months [95% CI: 5.8-7.8] vs. FOLFIRINOX: 5.1 months [95% CI: 4.2-5.9]; p = 0.15), OS was significantly better in AG group compared to FOLFIRINOX group (median 12.3 months [95% CI: 11.0-13.7] vs. 9.7 months [95% CI, 8.1-11.4]; p = 0.001). Among the patients who showed progression, 81% (180/223) received second-line chemotherapy and there was no difference between the two groups (AG vs. FOLFIRINOX: 76% vs. 85%, p = 0.09). 5-FU monotherapy or combination with oxaliplatin were given in 97% (73/75) of patients in AG group and gemcitabine-based regimens (including 2 cases of AG) were given in 97% (102/105) of patients in FOLFIRINOX group. Conclusions: Both AG and FOLFIRINOX are feasible and active as first-line treatment for patients with mPC. In daily practice setting, AG showed comparable efficacy outcomes with FOLFIRINOX.