Disrupting cytokine signaling in pancreatic cancer: a phase I/II study of etanercept in combination with gemcitabine in patients with advanced disease.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Etanercept blocks tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), a proinflammatory cytokine that plays a role in cancer-related cachexia and tumor growth. A phase I/II study was conducted to assess the tolerability and efficacy of gemcitabine and etanercept in advanced pancreatic cancer.

Methods

Twenty-five patients received etanercept 25 mg subcutaneously twice weekly with gemcitabine. A control cohort of 8 patients received gemcitabine alone. The primary end point was progression-free survival at 6 months. Blood specimens were analyzed for TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, interferon-γ, IL-10, and NF-κβ activation. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00201838.

Results

Thirty-eight patients participated in this study. In the gemcitabine-etanercept cohort, grade

SUBMITTER: Wu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3664263 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature