Phase I study of biweekly gemcitabine followed by oxaliplatin and simplified 48-h infusion of fluorouracil/leucovorin for advanced pancreatic cancer

Objectives To evaluate the feasibility and maximal tolerated dose (MTD) of oxaliplatin of a triplet regimen consisting of gemcitabine, oxaliplatin and infusional fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin (LV) (GOFL) for advanced pancreatic cancer. Patients and Methods Patients with histologically proven metastatic or unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma were eligible to take part in the study. The treatment consisted of fixed-rate infusion (10 mg/m(2)/minute) of 800 mg/m(2) gemcitabine followed by 2-h infusion of oxaliplatin and then 48-h infusion of 5-FU/LV day 1 and day 15 every 4 weeks. The oxaliplatin would be evaluated at three dose levels, 65, 75 and 85 mg/m(2). Results A total of 15 patients were enrolled at three dose levels. Dose-limiting toxicity of neutropenic fever and grade 4 thrombocytopenia occurred in one of each six patients at oxaliplatin dose level of 65 mg/m(2) and 85 mg/m(2), respectively. The MTD of oxaliplatin for this combination was 85 mg/m(2). After a median four cycles of treatment, grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 46.7% of patients and thrombocytopenia in 13.3%. Non-hematological toxicities were generally of grade 1/2. Objective tumor response was observed in five patients (33.3%, 95% confidence interval, 6.3-60.4%). Conclusion Biweekly GOFL is a feasible regimen for advanced pancreatic cancer. For further phase II studies, the recommended dose of oxaliplatin is 85 mg/m(2).(c) 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.