Phase I/II Study: Experience with the Late Onset of Acute Pancreatitis after the Start of Chemotherapy with Gemcitabine Plus nab-Paclitaxel for Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

Abstract

Gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel is the current standard chemotherapy for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. We conducted a phase I/II study in Japan, in which high response rates and manageable toxicity were observed. In this study, two patients were reported as experiencing pancreatitis due to chemotherapy. In general, pancreatitis is sometimes observed when the tumor involves the pancreatic duct, and the onset is observed before the diagnosis or at the initial stage. The onset of pancreatitis in these cases was unique and observed after the start of chemotherapy. Pancreatitis may be induced by the alleviation of stenosis of the pancreatic duct associated with tumor shrinkage.