Treatment of pancreatic cancer with a combination of docetaxel, gemcitabine and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor: A phase II study of the Greek Cooperative Group for Pancreatic Cancer

Purpose:To evaluate the tolerance and efficacy of front-linedocetaxel plus gemcitabine treatment in patients with inoperable pancreaticcancer.Patients and methods:Fifty-four patients with locally advancedor metastatic pancreatic cancer were enrolled. Gemcitabine (1000mg/m²) was administered on days 1 and 8 and docetaxel (100mg/m²) on day 8, every three weeks; rh-G-CSF (150ìg/m² s.c.) was given prophylactically on days9–15.Results: Seven (13%) patients achieved partial response and18 (33%) stable disease (intent-to-treat). The median duration ofresponse was 24 weeks, time to tumour progression 32 weeks, and overallsurvival 26 weeks. Performance status was improved in 33% of patients,pain in 43%, asthenia in 16%, weight gain in 28% andappetite in 27%. Grade 3–4 neutropenia occurred in 17(31%)patients and grade 3–4 thrombocytopenia in four (4%). Six(11%) patients developed febrile neutropenia and one of them died fromsepsis.Conclusions:This combination is a relatively well-toleratedout-patient regimen for patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer.