Sustained CA19-9 response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer predicts progression and survival.

CONCLUSION: Patients with initially elevated CA19-9 levels who do not have a decline to a sustained low level are at risk for progression, recurrence, and poor survival. Alternative treatment strategies prior to an attempt at curative resection should be considered in this cohort.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study identifies percent changes in CA19-9 blood levels while on chemotherapy that predict tumor growth in patients with advanced pancreas cancer. These changes could be used to better select patients that would benefit from surgical removal of their tumors and improve survival.
PMID: 32277842 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: The Oncologist - April 10, 2020 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Rose JB, Edwards AM, Rocha FG, Clark C, Alseidi AA, Biehl TR, Lin BS, Picozzi VJ, Helton WS Tags: Oncologist Source Type: research