15188 Background: In this study, we report the survival outcomes of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer who underwent intra- arterial mitomycin/cisplatin therapy at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), a community hospital comprehensive cancer center combining conventional and integrative medical therapies. Methods: At our center, all patients undergo a comprehensive program of nutritional, spiritual, physical, naturopathic, and emotional support while receiving an aggressive conventional treatment protocol. Using data collected by the cancer registry, we identified 114 consecutively treated newly diagnosed cases of invasive pancreatic cancer who underwent definitive treatment between Jan 01 and Dec 05. Results: 26 patients were stage III and 88 were stage IV. The median age was 58 years (range 31 to 81 years). 55 patients were selected for intra-arterial therapy with mitomycin/cisplatin. These patients had a PS of 2 or better and either had no metastatic lesions or a single localized liver metastasis. 16 patients in this cohort received radiotherapy. The 59 other patients underwent a variety of therapies. Intra-arterially treated patients had a median survival of 369 days and a 2-year cumulative survival of 19%. Patients not treated with intra-arterial therapy had a median survival of 249 days and a 2-year survival of 11%. Univariate survival analysis found that patients undergoing intra-arterial therapy had significantly better survival outcomes compared to patients undergoing different therapies (Log rank test P = 0.04). The table compares the survival outcomes of recent phase III investigations on first line therapies for pancreatic cancer with those at CTCA. Conclusion: Currently, the published clinical trial data in advanced pancreatic indicates a one-year survival ranging from less than 10% to 28%. Consequently, the survival outcomes of patients undergoing therapy at our center warrant further investigation. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Advanced pancreatic cancer: The standard of care and new opportunities
