gemcitabine + radiation therapy

This neoadjuvant treatment protocol, evaluated in a multicenter randomized phase 2/3 trial led by Seoul National University Hospital, consists of concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) for patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. The regimen involves the administration of gemcitabine, a pyrimidine nucleoside analog, as a radiosensitizing agent alongside external beam radiation therapy (45 Gy in 25 fractions plus a 9 Gy boost in 5 fractions) prior to surgical resection. Gemcitabine acts by inhibiting ribonucleotide reductase and competing with deoxycytidine triphosphate for incorporation into DNA, thereby halting DNA synthesis and inducing apoptosis. Clinical trial results demonstrated that this neoadjuvant approach significantly improved median overall survival and R0 resection rates compared to upfront surgery followed by adjuvant treatment.

Brand names

Gemzar

Other names

neoadjuvant chemoradiation-Seoul National University Hospital-pancreatic cancerneoadjuvant gemcitabine-based chemoradiotherapySNUH neoadjuvant CRT protocol