Dr. Patel on Findings From the NAPOLI-1 Trial in Pancreatic Cancer

Reema A. Patel, MD, associate program director, Hematology & Medical Oncology Fellowship, assistant professor of medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Kentucky, discusses findings from the NAPOLI-1 trial in pancreatic cancer.

 The open-label, randomized, phase 3 NAPOLI-1 trial evaluated nanoliposomal irinotecan (Onivyde) with or without 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin versus 5-FU and leucovorin in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer who progressed on prior gemcitabine-based therapy, Patel says.

 Results of the study showed that patients who were heavily pretreated with chemotherapy could benefit from the combination of nanoliposomal irinotecan plus 5-FU/leucovorin. Notably, an overall survival benefit was observed with the combination and the progression-free survival (PFS) was doubled compared with chemotherapy alone.

In pancreatic cancer, an improvement in PFS is clinically meaningful, even if it’s only a small amount. The results of NAPOLI-1 showed a 45% reduction in the risk of progression. This regimen is now being evaluated in combination with oxaliplatin as frontline therapy in the ongoing NAPOLI-3 trial, Patel concludes.