Abstract:

 Objective To observe efficacy and side effects of S-1 maintenance chemotherapy for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer initially treated with gemcitabine and S-1. Methods A total of 41 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer received gemcitabine and S-1 as first-line therapy，and then they were randomly divided into a group that received maintenance therapy with S-1 alone until progression of disease （n=20），and a control group that was merely observed （n=21）. Every two cycles，efficacy and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results Median progression-free survival was 6.8 months in the S-1 group and 4.1 months in the control group. Median overall survival was 8.9 months in the S-1 group and 5.7 months in the control group. The differences between the two groups were significant（P<0.05）. The main adverse reactions included bone marrow aplasia and gastrointestinal reactions，most of which were grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ. Patients in the S-1 group showed significantly higher rates of low leucocyte neutrophil，nausea/vomiting and hand-foot syndrome（P＜0.05）. Conclusions Maintenance chemotherapy with S-1 alone following initial therapy with gemcitabine and S-1 is safe and effective in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

Key words: Pancreatic neoplasms, Advanced stage, Gemcitabine, Maintenance chemotherapy, Clinical effects