Gemcitabine Combined with the mTOR Inhibitor Temsirolimus in Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer. A Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group Phase I/II Study

BackgroundThe prognosis of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer is dismal, and there is a need for novel and effective treatments.ObjectivesT determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of a novel gemcitabine (G) and temsirolimus (T) combination (phase I) and estimate the 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) in patients treated with the T+G combination (phase II).Patients and MethodsEligible patients with histologically confirmed inoperable or metastatic pancreatic carcinoma (MPC) were entered into the trial. G was given bi-weekly and T weekly in a 4-week cycle. The first dose level was set at G 800mg/m(2) and T 10mg. G was escalated in increments of 200mg/m(2) and T in increments of 5mg until DLT was reached, and the recommended dose was used for the phase II part.ResultsThirty patients were enrolled in the phase I component at the pre-planned six dose levels; one bilirubin DLT of grade III occurred at the first dose level. The MTD was established as the approved doses of both drugs. Fifty-five patients were entered into the phase II component. Median relative dose intensities administered in the first cycle were 0.75 for T and 0.99 for G. Grade 3-4 hematological toxicities were recorded in 87.3% of patients. The most common non-hematological adverse events were metabolic disorders (81.8%) followed by gastrointestinal disorders (63.6%). Median PFS was 2.69months (95% CI 1.74-4.95) and median OS was 4.95months (95% CI 3.54-6.85), while the 6-month PFS rate was 30.9%.ConclusionsCombination of G and T is feasible in patients with locally advanced or MPC with manageable side effects, but lacks clinical efficacy.The study was registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12611000643976).