Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of using S-1 as adjuvant chemotherapy after the resection of pancreatic cancer.
METHODS: S-1 was administered orally at the recommended dose (RD; 80mg/m2, maximum 120mg/day) twice daily for 14 days, followed by a rest period of seven days to complete one course. Administration was planned to continue at least 6 months (eight courses). The cumulative relative total administered dose rate (RDI), relapse-free survival rate (RFS) and the median overall survival time (MST) was calculated by using the Kaplan-Meier method.
RESULTS: Nineteen patients who had undergone resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma were enrolled in this study. The planned dose could be administered to 13 patients (68.4%). Although grade 3 anemia occurred in one patient, grade 3 to 4 hematologic adverse events were not observed. The RDI of S-1 was 0.87. The 2-year and 5-year RFS was 42.1% and 26.3% respectively. The MST was 30.1 months.
CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative administration of S-1 at the RD is clinically safe and appears to be a promising method of adjuvant chemotherapy.
