The gemcitabine, docetaxel, and capecitabine (GTX) regimen for metastatic pancreatic cancer: a retrospective analysis

Purpose We developed a laboratory based regimen called GTX which induces synergistic apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cells. This retrospective review summarizes our clinical experience with GTX in an initial group of 35 patients; 66% untreated and 34% failed prior therapies. Methods All patients treated with GTX for metastatic pancreatic cancer, prior to initiation of a prospective phase II trial of GTX were assessed and followed until death. GTX consisted of capecitabine (X), 750 mg/m(2) p.o. BID on days 1-14, gemcitabine (G) (750 mg/m(2)) over 75 min and docetaxel (T) (30 mg/m(2)) on days 4 and 11. Thus one cycle of GTX was 14 days with 7 days off for a 21 day cycle. Tumor assessments were repeated every 3 cycles. Results All 35 patients had metastatic pancreatic cancer (94% liver, 6% lung sites). Grade 3-4 hematological toxicities were: leukopenia and thrombocytopenia-both 14%, and anemia 9%, respectively. The overall response rate of all 35 patients treated with GTX (from 0.5 cycles onward) was 29% (CR/PR) by WHO criteria, and 31% had a minor response or stable disease (MR, SD). At the metastatic sites for the 35 patients, there were 9% complete (CR) and 31% partial (PR) responses (total 40%). For the 31 patients who had their primary tumor (4 patients had a prior Whipple resection), there were 13% CR and 19% PR for a response rate of 32% at the primary tumor site. Overall median progression free survival of responders was 6.3 months (95% C.I. 4.4-10.4 months) and median survival was 11.2 months (95% C.I. 8.1-15.1 months). Survival after initiation of GTX at 12, 18, 24 and 30 months was 43, 29, 20, and 11%, respectively. Conclusion Our retrospective review suggests that GTX has potential as a regimen for untreated and treated metastatic pancreatic cancer.