ABSTRACT
Background: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers, with comparatively poor outcomes despite the use of multiagent conventional chemotherapy regimens. Real-world data from clinical practice are still rare but are the basis for understanding and improving the current standard of care. Materials & methods: In this multi-institutional retrospective analysis of 24 office-based oncology practices in Germany, the authors documented 1786 pancreatic cancer patients who received systemic treatment between April 2017 and June 2021. Results: The authors' analysis showed that results from recent clinical studies are promptly incorporated into practice. Conclusion: It was striking that, during the analyzed period, the use of platinum-based therapy regimens in adjuvant and palliative first-line therapy increased predominantly in younger patients (<70 years).
Cancer of the pancreas is one of the most aggressive cancers, with poor survival despite the use of strong chemotherapy. Data from clinical practice are still rare but are the basis for understanding and improving the current standard of care. In this analysis of 24 office-based oncology practices in Germany, the authors documented treatment data of 1786 patients with pancreatic cancer who received chemotherapy between April 2017 and June 2021. The authors' analysis shows that results from recent clinical studies are promptly integrated into practice. The use of a certain type of chemotherapy with platinum increased, especially in patients younger than 70 years of age.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is active in metastatic breast cancer. This observational study evaluated the efficacy and safety of PLD in patients treated during routine clinical practice. METHODS: Eligible patients had metastatic breast cancer and were treated with PLD according to the dose and schedule determined by their physician as part of routine practice. The primary objectives were to analyze the efficacy and toxicity of PLD therapy. RESULTS: 125 patients were assessable. Median age was 62 years, 78% had performance status 0-1, and 60% had estrogen-receptor-positive disease. PLD treatment was second- or third-line in 69% of patients. Prior anthracyclines (adjuvant or metastatic) had been used in 56% of patients. The majority of patients (79%) received PLD every 4 weeks at a median dose of 40 mg/m2. Overall response rate was 43% in all patients and 34% in those previously treated with anthracyclines. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were skin toxicity/hand-foot syndrome (6%), and leukopenia (3%). CONCLUSIONS: This observational study supports the activity and tolerability of PLD in metastatic breast cancer as demonstrated in PLD clinical trials.
