Immunotherapy and chemotherapy combination boosts pancreatic cancer outcomes

A recent UCLA study has found encouraging outcomes for borderline-resectable pancreatic cancer from an immunotherapy/chemotherapy combination before surgery, according to a press release.

It is important to note that while most patients did not experience a “clear survival advantage,” several had “unusually deep and durable responses,” longevity to reach surgery, and tumor shrinkage. Participants were given modified FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy and nivolumab prior to surgery.

The research showed that more than three quarters (79%) of participants survived to surgery, while half “had no cancer detected in their lymph nodes.” Surgery was successful for 100% of participants who received the combination treatment. Most (86%) “had clean margins.”

Additionally, a small percentage of combination therapy participants (9%) “had complete disappearance of detectable cancer at the time of surgery” and an additional 9% “had near-complete responses.”