Clinical efficacy of 2-week and 3-week albumin-bound paclitaxel therapy for advanced pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVE: We aim to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-PTX) (125 mg/m2, q2w) for two weeks and (125 mg/m2, d1, d8, q3w) for three weeks in the first-line treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. METHODS: The medical records of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer who received nab-PTX for 2 weeks and 3 weeks, combined with gemcitabine, from July 2018 to January 2023, were retrospectively analyzed. The efficacy and adverse reactions of the two groups of patients were compared. RESULT: A total of 64 patients were included. The median progression-free survival (mPFS) of the 2-week group was 5.6 months, while the 3-week group was 7.8 months. The median overall survival (mOS) of the 2-week group was 14.0 months, while the 3-week group was 14.7 months. The multivariate analysis showed that a physical fitness status score of 0-1 was an independent factor with better OS, while metastatic sites ≥ 3 were related to poor OS. The incidence of leukopenia or neutropenia, neurotoxicity, fatigue, and poor appetite in the 2-week group was lower than that in the 3-week group. CONCLUSION: The clinical efficacy of nab-PTX in the 2-week and dose intensive 3 week did not show significant difference, but the 2-week treatment group had better tolerance and safety.