Table 5 Phase III adjuvant chemoradiation trials for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head

From: Adjuvant gemcitabine and concurrent radiation for patients with resected pancreatic cancer: a phase II study

Trial

Treatment

n

% Stage T3/%node (+)

Median survival (months)

GITSG (1987)

Observation

22

35/28%

10.9

 

40 Gy+5-FUa

21

 

20.0

EORTC (Klinkenbijl et al, 1999)

Observation

60

0/47%

12.6

 

40 Gy+5-FUb

54

 

17.1

ESPAC (Neoptolemos et al, 2004)

Observation

69

 

16.9

 

6 Cycles 5-FU

75

30/59%

21.6

 

40 Gy+5-FUb

73

 

13.9

 

40 Gy+5-FUc

72

 

19.9

*WFU/Lyon (phase II)

50 Gy+ Gemcitabined

47

74/70%

18.3

  1. aPatients received 5-FU (2 doses) during the radiation followed by 2 years of monthly therapy.
  2. bPatients received 5-FU (2 doses) during the radiation only.
  3. cPatients received 5-FU (2 doses) during the radiation followed by six additional months of 5-FU therapy.
  4. dPatients received Gemcitabine (12 doses) during the radiation followed by two additional months of Gemcitabine.
  5. 5-FU, 5-fluorouracil.