FOLFIRINOX for advanced pancreatic cancer: The Princess Margaret experience.

Abstract

417 Background: The FOLFIRINOX regimen has been shown to significantly increase both overall (OS) and progression free (PFS) survival in metastatic pancreas cancer (MPC), albeit with an increase in adverse events (AEs). It is not known whether initial dose reductions compromise FOLFIRINOX efficacy and there are limited data regarding treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients (pts) treated with FOLFIRINOX for MPC or LAPC at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and began treatment between Dec 2011 and April 2014. The primary objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FOLFIRINOX when used with dose modifications. Results: 102 pts were identified; 66 MPC and 36 LAPC. Median age was 65 years. 72% of pts had pancreatic head tumors. At baseline 95% of pts had an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1; 95% had bilirubin < 1.5 ULN and 45% had a biliary stent. 68% of pts initiated treatment with a dose reduction (93% reduction or omission of bolus 5FU, 88% reduction in Irinotecan, 68% reduction in Oxaliplatin and 66% reduction in infusional 5FU). Median number of cycles was 6 (1-31); 25% of pts received <4 cycles. Median OS in metastatic pts was 12.9 months (mo) and 23 mo in LAPC; Median PFS was 8.7 mo (metastatic) and 11.1 mo in LAPC. There was no significant difference in PFS (10.9 vs. 10.3 mo; p=0.60) or OS (11.1 vs. 14.0 mo; p=0.19) between the full starting dose and reduced starting dose groups respectively. Partial response or stable disease was achieved in 57% of pts; 11% of the LAPC pts had a surgical resection. Grade 3/4 hematologic AEs were observed in 43% of pts (febrile neutropenia in 6%). Only 13% of pts received G-CSF support. Grade 3/4 non-hematologic AEs were observed in 28% of pts, including vomiting (19%), nausea (16%) and diarrhea (16%). 18% of pts had a treatment related hospitalization (5% neutropenic sepsis, 13% GI toxicity/dehydration.) There was one treatment related death. Pt wellbeing (scored on a validated questionnaire) significantly improved from baseline to cycle 4 (p=0.002). Conclusions: Modest dose reductions do not appear to compromise efficacy of FOLFIRINOX. Our median PFS, OS and AEs are comparable to other studies using FOLFIRINOX in both LAPC and metastatic disease.