Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Cancer of the Pancreas

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining more that one drug may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of combining gemcitabine and docetaxel in treating patients who have locally advanced or metastatic cancer of the pancreas.

Detailed Description
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OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the objective response rate of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with combination gemcitabine and docetaxel. II. Determine the toxicity profile of this combination therapy in these patients. III. Assess the survival rate of these patients. OUTLINE: Patients receive docetaxel IV over 1 hour followed by gemcitabine IV over 30 minutes. Patients receive treatment every other week for 8 weeks (4 courses). Patients may continue treatment in the absence of unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. Patients are followed every 12 weeks until death. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: This study will accrue approximately 10 patients per month for a maximum of 33 patients.

Official Title
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A Phase II Study of Gemcitabine and Docetaxel in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Conditions
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Pancreatic Cancer

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: docetaxel
* Drug: gemcitabine hydrochloride


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma or poorly differentiated carcinoma of the pancreas Metastatic disease with at least 1 bidimensionally measurable lesion OR Locally advanced disease that is either recurrent or not amenable to surgery Measurable disease outside of prior radiation port or disease progression within the port PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1500/mm3 Platelet count at least 125,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT no greater than 2.5 times ULN (less than 3 times ULN if liver metastases) Renal: Creatinine no greater than ULN Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease At least 1 year since prior adjuvant chemotherapy Prior chemoradiotherapy as initial therapy allowed Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics See Chemotherapy At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 120 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Drug: docetaxel|nan|
|Drug: gemcitabine hydrochloride|nan|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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stage III pancreatic cancer, stage IV pancreatic cancer, recurrent pancreatic cancer, adenocarcinoma of the pancreas