Efficacy and Tolerance Evaluation in FOLFIRINOX Dose Adjusted in Elderly Patients With a Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

Metastatic pancreatic carcinomas represent the 5th cause of cancer death in France (#8000 per year). The median age at diagnosis is 69 and 74 in male and female respectively. When the 5-Fluorouracile has been used as a single agent with a limited efficacy during more than 20 years, the onset of gemcitabine in 1995 has led to a moderate increase of median survival (from 4.41 to 5.65 months) and overall survival at 1 year (2 versus 18%). Recently, in a phase II followed by a phase-III study, a French collaborative group has demonstrated the benefit of "FOLFIRINOX " regimen versus gemcitabine alone, in terms of median survival (11.1 versus 6.8 months), progression-free survival (6.4 versus 3.3 months) and response rate (31.6 versus 9.4%). Although more hematologic (neutropenia) and GI toxicities were observed, FOLFIRINOX was acceptable as a new standard regimen for the majority of patients under the age of 70 with a good Performans Status. To reduce the toxicity of FOLFIRINOX in elderly patients (> 70 yo), pharmacogenetic monitoring of 5-FU and Irinotecan key metabolism enzymes (DPD and UGTA1) may be easily performed. The methodology of the study is to use the Bryant & Day statistical method, allowing to consider simultaneously as principal objective, the response rate (efficacy) and the tolerance (preservation of autonomy daily living, Katz index): this design is particularly fitting in a study for elderly patients who represent half of the pancreatic carcinoma population.