The goal of this observational retrospective cohort study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAT) in elderly patients with resectable or borderline resectable (BR) pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The study includes patients aged ≥70 years who have undergone NAT followed by surgery or upfront surgery. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does NAT improve overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in elderly patients compared to upfront surgery? What is the impact of NAT on R0 resection rates, conversion rates in BR tumors, and the need for vascular resection? How does the toxicity profile of different NAT regimens affect treatment outcomes and patient tolerability? Researchers will compare NAT followed by surgery vs. upfront surgery to determine differences in oncologic outcomes and postoperative complications. Participants will: Be retrospectively identified from hospital records. Be classified based on treatment received (NAT vs. upfront surgery). Undergo data collection on tumor characteristics, treatment regimens, surgical details, and survival outcomes. This study aims to refine patient selection criteria for NAT in elderly patients, guiding personalized treatment strategies to optimize survival and quality of life.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
240
This cohort includes elderly patients (≥70 years) with resectable or borderline resectable (BR) pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAT). The NAT regimens include 5-FluoroUracil, Irinotecan, Oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX), gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (GnP), and other standard chemotherapy protocols. The study aims to evaluate the impact of NAT on overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), R0 resection rates, and postoperative outcomes, as well as the toxicity profile of different NAT regimens.
Overall Survival (OS)
OS is defined as the time from the initiation of treatment (NAT or upfront surgery) to death from any cause. Patients still alive at the end of the study period will be censored at the last follow-up date.
Time frame: Up to 2 years from treatment initiation
Progression-Free Survival (PFS)
PFS is defined as the time from the initiation of treatment to disease progression or death from any cause, whichever occurs first. Disease progression is assessed based on RECIST v1.1 criteria using imaging studies.
Time frame: Up to 1 years from treatment initiation
Resection Rate and R0 Resection Rate
The proportion of patients who successfully undergo surgical resection after NAT compared to upfront surgery. Resection margins will be classified as: R0 (complete resection, negative margins) R1 (microscopic residual disease) R2 (macroscopic residual disease)
Time frame: At the time of surgery
Major Toxicities and NAT Dropout Rate
Toxicity will be evaluated using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.0. The study will report grade 3-4 toxicities, dose reductions, treatment interruptions, and patient dropout rates due to adverse events.
Time frame: At the end of each cycle (each cycle is 28 days)
Conversion Rate of NAT in Borderline Resectable (BR) PDAC
The proportion of patients initially classified as borderline resectable (BR) who are successfully converted to resectable status after NAT and undergo curative-intent surgery.
Time frame: At the time of surgery
Vascular Resection Rate
Comparison of the frequency of vascular resections (e.g., portal vein or superior mesenteric vein resection) between the NAT and upfront surgery groups, assessing the impact of NAT on vascular involvement.
Time frame: At the time of surgery
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