Survival outcomes of conversion surgery for metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma after neoadjuvant therapy

Objective: To evaluate the survival outcomes of patients who underwent conversion surgery for metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) and to identify potential candidates that may benefit from this treatment strategy.Background: The role and eligibility population of conversion surgery for mPDAC remains controversial in the era of NAT.Methods: A consecutive cohort of patients diagnosed with mPDAC and treated with NAT followed by conversion surgery between 2019 and 2021 were confirmed from a prospective database maintained by the Department of Pancreatic Hepatobiliary Surgery of Changhai Hospital. In accordance with residual metastases and technical resectability after NAT, patients were classified as the complete pathological response of metastases (ypM0) resection group, residual metastases (ypM1) resection group, and exploration group. Median overall survival (mOS) was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, uni- and multivariable cox regression was performed to identify clinicopathological predictors of OS.Results: A total of 244 patients with mPDAC were identified from the prospective database, with 19 (7.8%) patients who underwent ypM0 resection, 22 (9.0%) underwent ypM1 resection, and 23 (9.4%) underwent explorative laparotomy. The mOS was 32.6 months for ypM0 resected patients, 15.1 months for ypM1 resected patients, and 13.4 months for those who underwent explorative laparotomy (P < .001). Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses confirmed that ypM0 resection, normalization of preoperative CA19-9 levels, and continued adjuvant therapy were independent prognostic factors of conversion surgery for mPDAC after NAT. Subgroup analyses revealed that oligometastases and continued adjuvant therapy were associated with improved prognosis in the ypM1 resection group.Conclusion: In patients with mPDAC who underwent NAT followed by conversion surgery, the complete pathological response of metastases, normalization of preoperative CA19-9 levels, and continued adjuvant therapy were independent risk factors for prognosis. Patients with residual oligometastases after treatment were expected to prolong survival through resection. These patients may benefit from conversion surgery and should be potential candidates for this treatment strategy.