EARLY INCREASE of CA 19-9 in ADVANCED PANCREATIC CANCER RECEIVING FOLFIRINOX. Is it a sign of efficacy?

[Article in English, French]

Samer Tabchi, Hampig R Kourie, Fadi Farhat, Joseph Kattan

PMID: 30452147

Abstract

Introduction: Advanced pancreatic cancer (APC), one of the most aggressive tumors, was considered to be resistant to chemotherapy for decades. FOLFIRINOX (5-FU, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) regimen showed an improvement of quality of life and overall survival. ir APb patients with good performance status (ECOG < 2).

Material and methods: Seven patients diagnosed with APO, during a six-month period, received FOLFIRINOX as first-line treatment. Tumor measurement Was assessed every two months and CA 19-9, tHe specific tumor marker of pancreatic cancer, was assessed every two weeks at every cycle.

Results: Three patients out of seven receiving FOLFIRINOX dtpe- riented an early And transitory increase of CA 19-9 after the first two cycles resulting in a considerable response with a median survival of 15 months and suggesting a fhdel of fdmor release syndrome.

Conclusion: This phenoMenon of early and transitory increase of CA 19-9 in APC could reflect the high efficacy of FOLFIRINOX and could predict better outcome in these patients.