Improved survival in subset of advanced pancreatic cancer

Median overall survival was significantly longer with nimotuzumab, at 10.9 versus 8.5 months with placebo, at a hazard ratio of 0.50.

The results showed that median progression-free survival (PFS) was also significantly longer among patients given nimotuzumab, at 4.2 versus 3.6 months in the placebo group, or a hazard ratio of 0.56.

Patients were then stratified based on whether they needed surgery to remove bile duct obstructions prior to chemotherapy, as those not requiring surgery tend to have better liver function and so may better tolerate chemotherapy.

The overall survival benefit with nimotuzumab was greater among patients with no surgical history, at 15.8 versus 6.0 months with placebo, at a hazard ratio of 0.40, compared with 11.9 versus 8.5 months among those with biliary obstruction, at a hazard ratio of 0.54.

Patients who did not receive treatment for biliary obstruction had a significantly longer PFS than those who underwent surgery, at 5.5 versus 3.4 months (P = .008).

The researchers report that the incidence of adverse events in the nimotuzumab group was similar to that among patients given placebo.

The most common grade 3 treatment-related adverse events with the combination therapy were neutropenia, in 11.1% of patients, leukopenia (8.9%), and thrombocytopenia (6.7%). There were no grade 4 adverse events.

The study was sponsored by Biotech Pharmaceutical. Dr. Qin has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. Dr. Eng has disclosed relationships with Bayer Health, Gilead/Forty Seven, GlaxoSmithKline, Hookipa Biotech, Mirati Therapeutics, Natera, Pfizer, Elevar, Fruquitinib, Merck, and Pfizer. Dr. Gralow has disclosed relationships with Genentech, AstraZeneca, Hexal, Puma Biotechnology, Roche, Novartis, Seagen, and Genomic Health.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.