Trial success for Gemcitabine + Capecitabine after Whipple

Another good news story, details on the PCUK website:

"Combination therapy after surgery shows improved survival outcomes"

http://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/latest-news/2016/june/combination-therapy-after-surgery-shows-improved-survival-outcomes/

My hubby has an appointment with his oncologist on Friday and we will ask for him to be switched to this regime...he is currently on Gemcitabine alone so this is brilliant timing for us.

W&M xx

Several people have pointed out this research to me over the past few days. The fact that this is after a phase 3 trial is so good as can start being used in the real world from now I would hope.

Thanks both, and great news!

I worked on this study myself when in the NHS, so its great to see something which you actually contributed to have such good results!

Wife & mum - great timing indeed! And yes Ruth, this should become the standard treatment now - nothing is "pending" with regards to the drugs, as they have been around for years, and yes, it was a large study - multinational.

The folks at Liverpool Cancer Trails unit have worked very hard in the area of Pancreatic cancer research, and this is a well deserved "congrats" for them, as well as a huge boost for all PC patients.

Jeni,

Pancreatic Cancer Specialist nurse,

Support Team.

Hi all

A quick update on our experience of asking for Capecitabine to be added to my husband's Gemcitabine as per the ESPAC4 trial. We were told that as hubby had previously been treated with Capecitabine and 5FU (liquid form of Capecitabine) it wasn't really appropriate for him. Also as his neutrophils and platelets had been laid low by Gemcitabine, it would be risky to add another drug into the mix.

Interestingly an oncologist involved in ESPAC4 told me yesterday that the actual improvement in 5 year survival gained by adding Cap to Gem is probably more modest than the trial report suggested as the 5 year survival on Gem alone is usually around 22% (for resected patients) rather than the 16% reported in the trial results.

W&M x