[Retrospective analysis of uracil/tegafur, cyclophosphamide and gemcitabine compared with gemcitabine monotherapy in unresectable pancreatic cancer].

In a retrospective analysis, we compared the effectiveness and tolerability of gemcitabine (GEM) plus uracil/tegafur and cyclophosphamide with single-agent GEM as 1st-line chemotherapy for unresectable or recurrent pancreatic cancer. 33 patients received combination therapy and 25 patients were treated with GEM alone. Tumor response rate was 14.3% vs 8.7%, median progression-free survival was 3.2 vs 4 months, and median survival time was 6.5 vs 6.5 months in the combination and GEM groups, respectively. Complete response was observed just in 2 cases of the combination group, and 1 of them has been relapse-free for 3 years. In a subgroup of patients with good performance status, combination therapy prolonged median survival time significantly (9.4 vs 6.2 months). This combination therapy is well tolerated and may provide superior benefits to GEM monotherapy.