Chemotherapy With or Without Enoxaparin in Pancreatic Cancer

Approximately 20% of patients (pts) diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) develop venous thromboembolism, which may contribute to the dismal prognosis of PA. A small phase II trial suggested an improved survival by the addition of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) to chemotherapy. We conducted a small pilot study which indicated that the addition of enoxaparin to chemotherapy GFFC chemotherapy is safe and feasible in pts with advanced PA. Furthermore, results of several phase III studies suggest that pts in good performance status may benefit from more intensive chemotherapy regimen (Riess et al; Heinemann et al; ASCO 2005). Based on these considerations we started the multicenter phase III study CONKO 004. 540 patients are to be recruited into this study. Primary stratification takes place according to Karnofsky performance status and kidney function. Patients with KPS \> 80% and normal kidney function receive GFFC +/- LMWH (gemcitabine 1 g/m2 (30 min), cisplatin 30 mg/m2 (90 min), 5-fluorouracil 750 mg/m2 (24 h), folinic acid 200 mg/m2 (30 min), d1, 8; q3w +/- Enoxaparin 1mg/kg daily s.c.). Pts with KPS \< 80 % and increased creatinin plasma levels (\>1.3 mg/dl) receive the current standard therapy (gemcitabine 1 g/m2 (30 min), d1, 8, 15; q4w) +/- LMWM +/- Enoxaparin 1mg/kg daily s.c. After 12 weeks of initial chemotherapy all patients who have not progressed received the standard therapy (gemcitabine mono) +/- Enoxaparin 40mg/d s.c.