A pilot phase II multicenter study of nab-paclitaxel (Nab-P) and gemcitabine (G) as preoperative therapy for potentially resectable pancreatic cancer (PC).

4038 Background: Nab-P plus G is a new option for advanced PC. This combination was evaluated as a preoperative regimen for potentially resectable PC. Methods: Patients (pts, n=25) with resectable PC (NCCN criteria) were treated with 3 cycles of Nab-P (125mg/m 2 ) & G (1000mg/m 2 ) on day 1, 8, and 15, followed by surgical resection. The chosen endpoint was Grade III/IV histological changes (Arch Surg.127:1335-39:1992) in > 30% of resected tumor specimens. Results: Accrual is complete with 25 pts (median age 65, 10 F:15 M), 14/25 completed 3 cycles of treatment. Early drug discontinuation or drug interruption prior to the completion of 3 cycles occurred in 11 pts due to azotemia, cholangitis, pneumonia, catheter infection and pt decision. One pt had a fatal (grade 5) non-neutropenic aspergillus pneumonia. There was one episode of neutropenic fever (4%), and 3 episodes of cholangitis (12%) due to biliary stent malfunction. Other adverse events (grade 3/4) include neutropenia 64%, anemia 20%, dehydration 12%, nausea 12% and thrombocytopenia 12%. Dose reductions due to AEs were required in 5 pts, (3-neutropenia, 2-rash). Surgical resection was successful in 20/25 pts: 12- Pancreaticoduodenectomy, 8- Distal Pancreatectomy, 19/20 pts underwent an R0 resection. Surgical resection was not done in 5/25 pts due to: pre-operatively identified metastatic disease (2), blood vessel involvement at surgery (1), pt declined (1) and a pre-operative death (1).Post-operative tumor staging identified a complete response (n=1); stage IA (n=1); stage IIA (n=6); and stage IIB (n=12). Radiological partial response (PR) was documented in 4 pts prior to surgery. CA19-9 levels decreased from baseline by > 50% in 60% (n=15) of pts and by > 90% in 16% (n=4). Post-operative > 90% histological tumor response (Grade 3/4) was seen in 6 of 20 (30%) resected specimens. Conclusions: Preoperative therapy with Nab-P plus G is feasible with evidence of activity by radiological (PR in 16%), CA19-9 (decrease > 50% in 60% of pts) and pathological down staging (Grade 3/4 in 30% in resected tumor specimens). A larger study is warranted. Supported by Abraxis/Celgene Pharmaceuticals and the TGen foundation. Clinical trial information: NCT01298011.