West Virginia University Investigates New Treatments for Pancreatic Cancer
Overview of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer ranks as the fourth most lethal cancer globally. It is notorious for its resistance to standard chemotherapy treatments, with many tumors being classified as non-resectable. This classification often arises because tumors are located too close to vital blood vessels, making surgical removal challenging.
Research Focus and Methodology
To address these challenges, researchers at West Virginia University are exploring innovative treatment methods for pancreatic cancer. A recent meta-analysis evaluated the chemotherapy drug Folfirinox, assessing its efficacy compared to traditional chemotherapy options. This study reviewed 24 distinct research articles, encompassing a total of 313 patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The analysis focused on two primary outcomes: the patients’ survival rates and the frequency with which pancreatic tumors shrank to a size that made surgical removal possible. Although there was no control group in the study, patient outcomes were compared to historical data from pancreatic cancer patients who had not received Folfirinox.
Findings on Folfirinox Treatment
The results indicated a positive response to Folfirinox, with an impressive 67.8 percent of tumors treated with the drug becoming fully resectable. Furthermore, patients undergoing treatment with Folfirinox experienced an average overall survival time of 22.2 months, significantly surpassing the typical survival duration of approximately 12 months for those who did not receive the drug.
Implications for Future Research
These findings suggest that Folfirinox may represent a significant advancement in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, potentially enhancing patient outcomes. However, further research is necessary to confirm whether Folfirinox is the optimal treatment option for this type of cancer. Additional studies will also be essential to compare its effectiveness against other available medications and to assess any potential long-term health risks associated with its use, as well as strategies to mitigate these effects.
Author Information
Written by Avery Bisbee, BSc Candidate.
References
Janssen, Q. P., Buettner, S., Suker, M., Beumer, B. R., Addeo, P., Bachellier, P., et al. Koerkamp, B. (2019). Neoadjuvant Folfirinox in Patients with Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer: A systematic Review and Patient-Level Meta-Analysis. doi:10.1093/jnci/djz073/5488951
EurekAlert. (2019, June 14). WVU researcher studies new treatment for pancreatic cancer. Retrieved June 18, 2019, from https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-06/wvu-wrs061419.php