Elderly Pancreatic Cancer Patients Research Articles

Safety and feasibility of minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer in elderly patients: A retrospective study.

Previous studies have not evaluated the surgical difficulty of minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer in elderly patients. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of elderly age on the perioperative outcomes of minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy, focusing on surgical difficulty. This single-center retrospective study included patients who underwent minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer at Kansai Rosai Hospital between September 2012 and December 2023. Perioperative outcomes were investigated between the elderly (>75 years) and non-elderly (≤75 years) groups. Fifty-six patients were included: 26 and 30 in the elderly and non-elderly groups, respectively. The median operative time was significantly shorter in the elderly group than in the non-elderly group (324 vs. 414 min, p = .022), but other surgical outcomes were not significantly different including oncological factors. The median difficulty score was similar between the elderly and non-elderly groups (6 vs. 7, respectively; p = .699). The incidences of postoperative complications and pancreatic fistulas were not significantly different in the elderly and non-elderly groups (23% vs. 43%, p = .159, and 19% vs. 36%, p = .236, respectively), even though analyzed in subgroups with low-to-intermediate or high difficulty score. The safety and feasibility of minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer were not significantly different between elderly and non-elderly patients, even when surgical difficulty was considered. This surgical procedure can be safe and feasible for elderly patients.

353P Exploring stereotactic body radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer in elderly patients: Insights from a single-center study

353P Exploring stereotactic body radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer in elderly patients: Insights from a single-center study

2848: Stereotactic body radiotherapy in elderly pancreatic cancer patients: single-institution experience

2848: Stereotactic body radiotherapy in elderly pancreatic cancer patients: single-institution experience

Relation between preoperative nutritional index and length of stay in elderly pancreatic cancer patients

Relation between preoperative nutritional index and length of stay in elderly pancreatic cancer patients

IS THE WHIPPLE PROCEDURE SAFE AND FEASIBLE IN ELDERLY PATIENTS?

Introduction: The world population is getting older due to increasing life expectancy. Deciding to perform surgery for pancreatic cancer in elderly patients has been difficult due to high comorbidities and limited survival. This study aimed to compare the results of the Whipple procedure performed in elderly patients with non-elderly patients to demonstrate the safety and feasibility of the Whipple procedure. Materials and Methods: Patients underwent the Whipple procedure for pancreatic adenocarcinoma between January 2010 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were classified into two groups as, Group I (<65 years) and Group II (≥65 years), and compared. Results: 178 patients were included, with 97 (54.5%) in group I and 81 (45.5%) in group II. The mean age of the patients was 63.48±12.95 years, while 65.2% were male and 34.8% were female. Gender distribution, preoperative hyperbilirubinemia, The American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography status were found to be statistically similar between the groups. Group II had more comorbid disease (p=0.002), longer hospital stay duration (p<0.001), and more intensive care unit admission (p=0.001). There was no statistical difference between the groups regarding postoperative complications, pancreatic cancer stage, and R0 resection rate. There was no difference between the groups regarding survival (p=0.11). Conclusion: The Whipple procedure is an operation with a high complication rate regardless of age. The most adverse factor affecting survival is the aggressive nature of the disease rather than older age. Therefore, the Whipple procedure is safe and feasible in elderly patients. Keywords:Aged; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Survival; Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Treatment and Outcomes of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer in Elderly Patients

Background and Aims: Although pancreatic cancers are common in older age-groups, the prognosis remains poor due to limited studies on treatment approaches and outcomes in a given population. We aimed to examine treatment patterns and their outcomes in older patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer in a real-world context. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study including 167 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (aged ≥70 years and male/female: 78/89) between January 2010 and July 2015. Patients’ retrieved data from medical records were analyzed according to treatment types, followed by a review of clinicopathologic variables and treatment outcomes. Results: Of the 167 eligible patients for the study, only 21.6% (n = 36) received palliative chemotherapy. The median age of the chemotherapy group was 74.0 years and 78.6 years for the supportive care group. The median survival of the chemotherapy group was 9.2 months (range: 1.0–24.9 months), compared with that of the supportive care group, which was 2.3 months (range: 0.1–31.8 months). Among the patients in the chemotherapy group, 50% (n = 18) received gemcitabine-based double therapy, and 30% patients (n = 9) received second-line chemotherapy. Conclusions: Our results showed that older patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer were less likely to receive chemotherapy. However, the survival benefit from chemotherapy was comparable to that of younger patients’ counterpart. Thus, further study involving identification of older patients who would benefit from cytotoxic chemotherapy is needed.

Reviewing the Outcomes of Different Treatment Approaches in Elderly Pancreatic Cancer Patients.

The incidence of pancreatic cancer is age dependent. Ninety percent of new diagnoses occur in patients older than 55 years. Despite the association with age and cancer, elderly patients are historically underrepresented in clinical trials. Thus, optimal management of elderly patients has a lack of data. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the outcomes of palliative chemotherapy in elderly patients with pancreatic cancer compared with supportive care alone. Unicentric data were reviewed on all elderly patients (defined as age >65 years) with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer from 2008 through 2019 to compare outcomes in those who received chemotherapy versus supportive care alone. The study reviewed 665 patients with a median age of 75 years (mean, 75.7 years) and average Charlson Comorbidity Score of 5.74. Of them, 291 received chemotherapy and 363 received supportive care only. Chemotherapy was associated with a median overall survival of 250 versus 93 days with supportive care (P < 0.0001). Analysis showed improved survival for all age ranges, cancer stages, and Charlson Comorbidity Scores. Elderly pancreatic cancer patients can benefit from palliative chemotherapy, and it should be considered, especially in patients with fewer medical comorbidities and better functional status.

The impact of cachexia and sarcopenia in elderly pancreatic cancer patients receiving palliative chemotherapy.

Elderly pancreatic cancer (PC) patients are often considered vulnerable to treatment and standard treatment strategy for this subpopulation is uncertain. Cachexia and sarcopenia are reported to be associated with reduced physical performance, reduced anti-tumor response, increased chemotherapy toxicity, and poor prognosis in several malignancies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of cachexia and sarcopenia on the clinical course of elderly PC patients receiving chemotherapy. We retrospectively investigated consecutive elderly metastatic PC patients (≥ 75years) treated with chemotherapy at our institution between January2015 and April2020. Skeletal muscle index was calculated at the third lumbar vertebra using pretreatment computed tomography. We evaluated time to treatment failure (TTF), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), early treatment discontinuation, relative dose intensity (RDI), and severe adverse events (AEs). Among 80 patients included (gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel [GnP] 52; gemcitabine 21; S1 6; modified FOLFIRINOX 1), cachexia and sarcopenia were present in 48 (60%) and 61 (76%) patients, respectively. Cachexia was associated with older age, worse performance status, higher level of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, worse nutritional status, and shorter TTF and PFS. Furthermore, it was also associated with early treatment discontinuation, reduced RDI of nab-paclitaxel, and increased incidence of grade 4 neutropenia in patients receiving GnP. On the other hand, sarcopenia had less impact on the clinical course of elderly PC patients. In our experience, cachexia was considered an effective tool in the management of elderly PC patients receiving palliative chemotherapy.

Can Elderly Patients With Pancreatic Cancer Gain Survival Advantages Through More Radical Surgeries? A SEER-Based Analysis.

Background and AimsIn recent years, the best treatment method for pancreatic cancer in elderly patients has remained controversial. Surgery is the main treatment modality for pancreatic cancer. This study aimed to determine whether elderly patients with pancreatic cancer can gain survival advantages through more active and radical surgical treatment and evaluate the best treatment method and potential prognostic factors.MethodsFrom the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program (SEER) database, 10,557 elderly patients (aged ≥65 years) with pancreatic cancer were included as Cohort 1, and Propensity Score Matching (PSM) evaluation was performed to generate Cohort 2 (424 pairs). Overall Survival (OS) and Cause-Specific Survival (CSS) were determined using Kaplan–Meier survival curves, and differences were assessed using the Log-rank test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and the forest plot of hazard ratio (HR) was made to assess the association between potential prognostic factors, including surgery and different surgical methods, and survival in elderly patients.ResultsWe identified 10,557 eligible patients with pancreatic cancer, who formed Cohort 1. The total OS and CSS in the surgery group were significantly higher than those in the non-surgery group (P < 0.001). Age, stage (AJCC 8th), grade, lymph node metastasis, radiation, chemotherapy, and surgical methods were independent factors affecting the prognosis of elderly patients. In Cohort 2, Total pancreatectomy (Total PT) had the lowest risk ratio (HR = 0.31, P < 0.001) and longest median CSS (18.000 months), while Extension Total pancreatectomy (Ex-Total PT, HR = 0.34, P < 0.001) showed the lower median CSS (17.000 months) and median OS (14.000 months). Partial pancreatectomy (Partial PT, HR = 0.46, P < 0.001) showed the lowest median CSS (13.000 months) and median OS (12.000 months), although they were still higher than the median CSS (6.000 months) and median OS (5.000 months) in the non-surgery group.ConclusionsBased on the SEER database, surgical treatment is an independent prognostic factor in elderly patients with pancreatic cancer. Compared with other surgical methods, Total PT can offer elderly patients the best survival advantages. However, Ex-Total PT, a more radical method, does not seem to be the best treatment option for the survival and benefit of elderly patients.

Neoadjuvant therapy in elderly patients receiving FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel for borderline resectable or locally advanced pancreatic cancer is feasible and lead to a similar oncological outcome compared to non-aged patients – Results of the RESPECT-Study

IntroductionThe number of people aged 60 and above will rise from 46 million in 2015 to 157 in 2050 million, exceeding 30% of the population in many western countries. Consequently, the demand for oncological therapy for elderly patients will increase within the next decades. Currently, sufficient data on neoadjuvant therapy (NTx) of pancreatic cancer in elderly patients are lacking. MethodsData of a multinational, retrospective database were screened for patients having received preoperative FOLFIRINOX (FFx) or Gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (GNP) for locally advanced and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (LAPC/BRPC) before June 2017. Data were included in an intention-to-treat-analysis and outcomes were compared between non-aged and elderly patients using a cut-off age of 63 (comparison 1) and 70 years (comparison 2). ResultsOf 165 patients receiving NTx, 76 and 33 were older than 63 and 70 years. Baseline characteristics revealed that elderly patients preferably undergo GNP (comparison 1: p = 0.063; comparison2: p = 0.005), with less cycles of NTx (comparison 1: p = 0.057). Whereas reductions of NTx dosage was more common in elderly patients in comparison 1 (p = 0.003), resection rates (p = 0.575; p = 1.000) and median survival (p = 0.406; p = 0.499) were not different. Whereas resected patients showed no differences in survival (p = 0.328; p = 0.132), patients aged >70 years showed a decreased progression-free survival (p = 0.019). ConclusionElderly patients treated with NTx show encouragingly high resection rates. If comorbidities allow for FFx or GNP, elderly patients with LAPC/BRPC can offered NTx with the prospect of survival comparable to younger patients.

P-285 Therapeutic management of exocrine pancreatic cancer in elderly patients

P-285 Therapeutic management of exocrine pancreatic cancer in elderly patients

PCN208 RACIAL DISPARITY IN PANCREATIC RESECTION AMONG ELDERLY PATIENTS: A SEER DATABASE ANALYSIS

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality in the U.S., with an estimated 47,050 deaths in 2020. Surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment; however, less than 20% of patients are eligible due to advanced stage. Racial disparities in pancreatic resection are well documented. However, little is known about whether racial disparities exist in elderly patients. This study examines the relationship between race/ethnicity and resection among elderly pancreatic cancer patients. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the national Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Program data. The patient population was 65 years and older, diagnosed with resectable pancreatic cancer (stage I and II) between 2007 and 2016. Chi-square tests were used to describe patient demographics, and multiple logistic regression was used to assess the association between race/ethnicity and receipt of resection. Among 12,829 patients included for the analysis (mean [SD] age, 76 [7.5] years), the majority were white (73.1%), followed by Hispanic (9.3%), black (9.1%), and other (American Indian, Asian/Pacific Islander) (8.6%). In stage II cancer patients, black patients received significantly less resection compared to white patients (45.1% vs. 53.7%, p<0.0001). Across stage I and II, the odds of resection among black and Hispanic patients were lower compared to white patients (OR 0.69; 95%CI 0.60-0.80, and OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.68-0.90, respectively), while it was not significantly different for American Indian and Asian/Pacific Islander. Our results support that, among elderly pancreatic cancer patients, black and Hispanic patients were less likely to receive resection than white patients, despite being eligible for surgery. This suggests that racial disparities in resection rate seen among younger adults (age <65) continue in the elderly populations. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms of the disparities and to identify the mediators within racial/ethnic groups that can be targeted for intervention.

Community-based palliative care and end-of-life care in elderly patients with pancreatic cancer.

70 Background: No population-based studies have evaluated the impact of community-based palliative care (CBPC) on aggressive end-of-life (EOL) care use and Medicare charges for elderly pancreatic cancer patients. We analyzed the impact of CBPC on aggressive EOL care use in the last 30 days of life and on emergency department (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU) Medicare charges using the SEER-Medicare data. Methods: 12399 elderly pancreatic cancer patients survived for at least 1 month after diagnosis from 2007 to 2013 were identified. CBPC and hospital-based palliative care (HBPC) users were identified by diagnosis codes and place of services and matched by the coarsened exact matching [786:786; age, sex, residence urbanization level, comorbidities, illness duration, palliative care (PC) exposure]. Zero-inflated Poisson and multivariable logistic/linear regression models examined the variations of aggressive EOL care use in the matched patients. Generalized linear regression with a gamma distribution determined how CBPC impacted ED and ICU Medicare charges. Results: 22.1% eligible patients (median age: 76 years) used PC in the 6 years, including 7.7% who used CBPC and 14.5% who used HBPC. The median duration from cancer diagnosis to death of CBPC, HBPC and Non-PC users was 11 months, 6 months and 8 months (P &lt; .001). Matched CBPC users were less likely than HBPC users to be admitted to ICU (risk ratio [RR], 0.64; 95% CI, 0.50-0.81), ED (RR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.53-0.73), and hospital (RR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.35-0.72). Compared to matched HBPC users, CBPC users utilized less life-extending care (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.43-0.80) and had shorter hospital (Coef., −0.42; 95% CI, −0.65- −0.18) and ICU stays (Coef., −0.35; 95% CI, −0.59 - −0.10). They tended to die at home (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.19-1.78) and not in ED/ICU/hospital settings (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.45-0.83). CBPC users’ adjusted mean ED and ICU Medicare charges were 0.2% (P = .80) and 1.1% (P &lt; .001) lower than those of Non-PC users and 4.5% (P = .43) and 21.0% (P = .08) lower than those of matched HBPC users. Conclusions: CBPC users utilized less aggressive EOL care than HBPC users, implying CBPC's potential to reduce aggressive EOL care use. Their ICU Medicare charge was lower than that of Non-PC users.

A multicenter phase 4 geriatric assessment directed trial to evaluate gemcitabine +/\u2212 nab-paclitaxel in elderly pancreatic cancer patients (GrantPax)

BackgroundIn the group of elderly patients (≥70 years) with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC), it is not known who benefits from intensive 1st line nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine (nab-p/gem) combination chemotherapy or who would rather suffer from increased toxicity. We aim to determine whether treatment individualization by comprehensive geriatric assessments (CGAs) improves functional outcome of the patients.Methods/DesignGrantPax is a multicenter, open label phase 4 interventional trial. We use a CGA to stratify elderly patients into three parallel treatment groups (n = 45 per arm): 1) GOGO (nab-p/gem), 2) SLOWGO (gem mono) or 3) FRAIL (best supportive care). After the 1st cycle of chemotherapy (or 4 weeks in FRAIL group) another CGA and safety assessment is performed. CGA-stratified patients may not decline in their CGA performance in response to the first cycle of chemotherapy (primary objective), measured as a loss of 5 points or less in Barthels activities of daily living. Based on the second CGA, patients are re-assigned to their definite treatment arm and undergo further CGAs to monitor the course of treatment. Secondary endpoints include CGA scores during the course of therapy (CGA1–4), response rates, safety and survival rates.DiscussionGrantPax is the first trial implementing a CGA-driven treatment to personalize therapy for elderly patients with pancreatic cancer. This may lead to standardization of therapy decisions for elderly patients and may optimize standard of care for this increasing group of patients.Trial registrationNCT02812992, registered 24.06.2016.

Community-based palliative care utilization in elderly pancreatic cancer patients.

10108Background: Community-based Palliative Care (CBPC) has shown to stabilize symptoms, alleviate psychological and spiritual burdens, satisfy care preferences, and improve quality of life among c...

Combination therapy versus gemcitabine monotherapy in the treatment of elderly pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

PurposeWe aimed to compare the efficacy of combination therapy versus gemcitabine monotherapy in the treatment of elderly pancreatic cancer (PC) by using a meta-analysis.Materials and methodsDatabases were searched to identify relevant clinical trials. Hazard ratios (HRs) were used to estimate overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Statistical analyses were conducted by using Comprehensive Meta Analysis software (version 2.0).ResultsA total of 3,401 elderly PC patients from six randomized controlled trials were included for analysis. In comparison with gemcitabine alone, combination therapy in elderly PC patients did not significantly improve OS (HR 0.93, 95% CI: 0.82–1.06, p=0.29). Sub-group analysis according to treatment regimens showed that combined chemotherapy significantly improved OS in comparison with gemcitabine alone (HR 0.73, 95% CI: 0.56–0.94, p=0.016), while gemcitabine plus targeted agents did not improve OS (HR 1.02, 95% CI: 0.87–1.19, p=0.83). Additionally, gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel significantly improved PFS in elderly PC patients (HR 0.69, 95% CI: 0.52–0.91, p=0.009) in comparison with gemcitabine alone. No publication bias was detected by Begg’s and Egger’s tests for OS.ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that combined chemotherapy, but not for gemcitabine plus targeted agents, could be recommended for elderly PC patients due to its survival benefits. Further studies are still needed to assess the treatment tolerance of combination chemotherapy in these patient populations.

Evaluation of Treatment Patterns and Survival Outcomes in Elderly Pancreatic Cancer Patients: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare Analysis.

Management of pancreatic cancer (PC) in elderly patients is unknown; clinical trials exclude patients with comorbidities and those of extreme age. This study evaluated treatment patterns and survival outcomes in elderly PC patients using linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) and Medicare data. Histology codes 8140, 8500, 8010, 8560, 8490, 8000, 8260, 8255, 8261, 8263, 8020, 8050, 8141, 8144, 8210, 8211, or 8262 in Medicare Parts A and B were identified. Data regarding demographic, characteristics, treatments, and vital status between 1998 and 2009 were collected from the SEER. Determinants of treatment receipt and overall survival were examined using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models, respectively. A total of 5,975 patients met inclusion. The majority of patients were non-Hispanic whites (85%) and female (55%). Most cases presented with locoregional stage disease (74%); 41% received only chemotherapy, 30% chemotherapy and surgery, 10% surgery alone, 3% radiation, and 16% no cancer-directed therapy. Patients with more advanced cancer, older age, and those residing in areas of poverty were more likely to receive no treatment. Among patients 66-74 years of age with locoregional disease, surgery alone (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.39-0.74) and surgery in combination with chemotherapy (HR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.53-0.91) showed survival benefit as compared with the no treatment group. Among patients ≥75 years of age with locoregional disease, surgery alone (HR = 2.04; 95% CI: 0.87-4.8) or in combination with chemotherapy (HR = 1.59; 95% CI: 0.87-2.91) was not associated with better survival. Treatment modality and survival differs by age and stage. Low socioeconomic status appears to be a major barrier to the receipt of PC therapy among Medicare patients. Elderly patients with cancer are under-represented on clinical trials and usually have comorbid illnesses. The management of elderly patients with pancreatic cancer is unknown, with many retrospective experiences but low sample sizes. Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked data to analyze treatment patterns and survival of elderly patients with pancreatic cancer on a larger population scale, this study highlights treatment patterns and their effect on survival and proposes possible obstacles to access of care in elderly patients with pancreatic cancer other than Medicare coverage.

Portal vein/superior mesenteric vein resection in pancreatic cancer treatment in the elderly.

There is an increased interest in extending surgical criteria for pancreatic cancer by performing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) combined with portal vein (PV) or superior mesenteric vein (SMV) resection and reconstruction for borderline resectable patients. However, whether this procedure suitable for elderly patients remains unclear. Here, we studied cases of pancreatic cancer treatment in our medical center to evaluate feasibility and safety of this procedure in the elderly.Eighty-three patients 65 years of age or older who underwent PD from January 2009 to March 2014 were divided into 2 groups: PD only (Group A, 52 cases), and PD combined with PV/SMV resection and reconstruction (Group B, 31 cases). Surgical outcomes and survival rates were compared between groups. Information regarding preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative conditions, and follow-up visits were provided. The outcomes of postoperative complications and survival rates were investigated.No difference in the preoperative data was detected between 2 groups with the exception that the serum albumin level was significantly lower in Group B (P = .013), indicating more deteriorating health conditions in this group. Although intraoperative time and blood loss were higher in Group B (P < .001 and P = .048, respectively), the overall postoperative complications and survival curve showed no statistical differences between 2 groups with one exception in that there was higher incidence of intractable diarrhea in Group B (P = .034). The symptoms, however, resolved later on with conservative treatment. The median survival time for patients in this study was comparable to other reported PD treatments. There was zero postoperative mortality in both groups.PD combined with PV/SMV treatment did not lead to increased morbidity and motility in elderly patients 65 years of age and above. This procedure could provide a promising opportunity for borderline resectable elderly pancreatic cancer patients.

Efficacy of chemotherapy in elderly patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer: a multicenter review of 895 patients

BackgroundThe efficacy of chemotherapy for unresectable pancreatic cancer has improved. However, it is occasionally difficult to make treatment decisions for elderly patients. We reviewed the outcomes of elderly patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer by using a large cohort and evaluated whether they had received chemotherapy and the reason why.MethodsData for 895 pancreatic cancer patients who were treated using chemotherapy or best supportive care were analyzed considering demographics, clinical stage, treatment, and outcome. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, Student t-test, or Mann-Whitney U-test, as appropriate. Outcomes were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Differences in survival were analyzed using the log-rank test.ResultsThe median survival time was significantly shorter in elderly patients (≥65 years) than in younger patients (<65 years) (181 vs. 263 days, P = 0.0001). The median survival time of patients treated with chemotherapy was not significantly different between the elderly and the younger group (274 days vs. 333 days, P = 0.09), and nor was that of patients choosing best supportive care (84 days vs. 78 days, P = 0.83). These results held true even when the age cut-off between younger and elder patients was increased to 70, 75, and 80 years. Elderly patients treated with chemotherapy had a significantly longer median survival time than those choosing best supportive care (274 vs. 86 days, P < 0.0001); a significantly greater proportion of elderly patients chose best supportive care compared to younger patients (47.8 vs. 25.8%, P < 0.0001). The reason for choosing best supportive care was established in 261 elderly patients (82.9%); 133 (51.0%) met the eligibility criteria for chemotherapy, but of these, 78 (58.6%) were not informed about their disease. The treatment preferences of elderly patients were not always considered; they often received only best supportive care per family members preference (N = 65, 48.8%) or because the physician based their treatment decision only on the patient’s age (N = 68, 51.1%).ConclusionsChemotherapy appears effective for elderly pancreatic cancer patients with unresectable disease, but treatment needs to be optimized to improve prognosis.

A multicenter phase 4 geriatric assessment directed trial to evaluate gemcitabine +/- nab-paclitaxel in elderly pancreatic cancer patients (GrantPax).

TPS10124 Background: Nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine ( nab-P/gem) is an effective 1st line regimen for metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC). Elderly mPDAC patients (pts) may as well benefit from nab-P/gem. Geriatric assessments to evaluate the functional reserve of these pts may allow individualization of treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine whether comprehensive geriatric assessments (CGAs) can predict the benefit from combined nab-P/gem therapy for elderly mPDAC pts in 1st line. A stratified treatment approach shall result in patient groups with a stable or improving CGA performance during the 1st cycle of treatment. Methods: GrantPax (NCT02812992) is a multicenter, open label phase 4 interventional trial with stratified parallel treatment groups (n = 45 per arm). The hypothesis is that individualized assessment directed treatment algorithms identify elderly pts (≥70 yrs), who benefit from combined nab-P/gem therapy. The study uses a CGA to stratify pts as GOGO, SLOWGO or FRAIL. Depending on test outcome, pts receive chemotherapy (GOGO: nab-P/gem; SLOWGO: gem mono) or best supportive care (FRAIL). After 1st cycle of chemotherapy (4 wks) a CGA and safety assessment will be performed to assign pts to their definite treatment arm. The primary objective is that CGA-stratified pts do not decline in their CGA performance in response to chemotherapy, measured as a loss of 5 points or less in Barthels activities of daily living (ADL1 vs. ADL2 during CGA core assessment). The expected proportion of pts with ADL decline in each treatment group is 6%. Under this assumption it shall be shown with 80% power at one-sided significance level alpha of 0.05 that the proportion of pts with functional decline is less than 20% (n = 43 per group; ADL decline: n = 2 per group). Secondary endpoints are CGA scores during the course of therapy (CGA1-4), response rates, safety, survival rates, duration of treatment, cumulative dose, quality of life and discrepancy between CGA strata estimation by the investigator and true CGA assessment. GrantPax is the first trial realizing a CGA-driven treatment to individualize cancer therapy for elderly pts. Clinical trial information: NCT02812992.