Adjusting chemotherapy improves survival in pancreatic cancer patients

Adjustments in neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens based on carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) levels significantly enhanced overall survival in patients with resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In a study of 283 patients, those who changed their chemotherapy when CA19-9 levels remained elevated achieved better survival rates (35.9 months) compared to those who did not adjust treatment (25.7 months). Furthermore, the adjusted group’s survival was comparable to those with favorable responses.