Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer Patients: Less is More!

Our Patient & Family Webinar series continues with a presentation on chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer patients. Dr. Isacoff will present "Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer Patients: Less is More!"
We are excited to have him share his findings on why lower, more frequent doses of chemotherapy may be a more patient friendly treatment regimen, with fewer side effects and better survival rates.
Dr. William H. Isacoff, who leads the Pancreatic Cancer Center of Los Angeles, has earned a reputation as one of the foremost gastrointestinal oncologists within the United States. He has developed innovative treatments which have significantly extended the lives of pancreatic patients throughout the country. He has worked for decades to form better, safer and more effective treatments for patients battling pancreatic cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers.
With the use of low dose “metronomic” chemotherapy without radiation, Dr. Isacoff and the Pancreatic Surgical Team at UCLA have down staged more than 60 patients who upon initial diagnosis were felt to be inoperable. After successful “metronomic” treatment with a combination of chemotherapies, the patients were then able to become surgical candidates. Seventy-five percent of those patients were found to have lymph nodes that were uninvolved with metastatic disease as a result of the prolonged use of effective chemotherapy. Dr. Isacoff shares these promising results and more information on approaches to chemotherapy treatment.

[@cancerchemoandcannabis]

Good day. I have stage 4 pancreatic cancer. When I was diagnosed I was placed on folfirinox immediately. On my very first treatment, I was 2 hrs in when I started to uncontrollably starting throwing up. Well , 30 hrs later, 13 of it in the er. It seemed I had gone into what I was told as " chemo rage ". I spent the next 3 days in hospital while the staff stabilized my condition. I was then discharged, and spent 4 days in bed, so weak, tired, nauseous, no appetite. It was the most horrendous ordeal I've ever been through. When I went for treatment that day, I was in normal condition. 6months later, I'm still good 👍 Thank you Dr, I have a list of questions for my oncologist and team. Love from Canada 🇨🇦

[@khaliddurrani6432]

This idea of metronomic doses of chemo should be tried in the adjuvant setting in the operable patients.

[@RainbowMan.]

Beautiful! 💜

[@HirshbergFoundation]

Glad you enjoyed, thank you! 😊

[@sandydeepa1065]

@@jesussaves1827 So there are are no cruelties going on in this world? Jesus can't save atleast children and animals?!!!!!!

[@msfairclare]

Recently, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer here. My first round of folfirinox put me in the ICU for 5 days. I went straight from the oncologist office, getting the infusion to the emergency room, to being admitted, to being rushed to the ICU They have just switched me to gemcitabine.

[@pianystrom8137]

My friend will have the Whipple next week. She has had eight weeks of chemo prior to this. Is this the way to go?

[@billw2126]

hi, i had 11 rounds of Folfirinox, starting October 22. Stage 2 adenocarcinoma, tumor 28mm. Whipple in May 23 (covid in March!). Chemo was very effective, only 1mm of the tumor was alive when it was analysed. The side effects were incremental; first 6 rounds were easy but the last 5 rounds led to a lot of nausea and neutropenia. Think it was worth it tho.

[@sandydeepa1065]

Is metronomic working for those with liver, one renal artery, one renal vein affected?

[@HirshbergFoundation]

Hi Sandy, That would be a good question for Dr. Isacoff. You can find more information on the protocol here: pancreatic.org/chemotherapy-for-pancreatic-cancer-patients-less-is-more/ If you have other questions, you can reach out to our Patient Support Manager at [e-mail]

[@Pardy_Animalz]

Is this only in the US? Or International patients?

[@MIsSV1089]

My mom diagnosed with pancreatic cancer IIa last monday.. And we really need to go to the doctor but sadly the swab test came out positive for covid 19(asymptomatic) What are disadvantage that we are now delayed for 2weeks.. Really need an answer.. And the doctor i ask about her ct scan her prognosis is not good because there is involve of arteries and veins..

[@HirshbergFoundation]

Hi Joann, We are happy to help. You can reach out to Amy via email for more resources and support at [e-mail] Keeping your mom and your family in our thoughts💜

[@GeykaUrdanetaTovar]

Hi! My husband started his first cycle of chemotherapy and he did not tolerate it well his bilirubin values ​​were too high. His doctor suggested that he change to radiotherapy while his body is balancing I am afraid that the tumor will continue to grow because chemotherapy seems to be the way to reduce the tumor that is in the head of the pancreas. the cancer has not yet spread to other organs it is expected to lower the tumor to be able to operate it but I am afraid that only with radiotherapy ( six sessions ) will not be reduced enough that you would recommend me please thanks!

[@learnmathwithanu4780]

Hi how s ur husband now. Mg mom also kn same situation. Surgery not possible. Bot its not spread to othef organs

[@HirshbergFoundation]

Please reach out to us here: pancreatic.org/patients-caregivers/ for more personalized treatment recommendations. Wishing you well 💜

[@maybellerivers1931]

What is the name of the drug at 58:30. Palivizumab?

[@norianesplana836]

My mum diagnosed a pancreatic cancer last November 2021. She is 74 yrs old already. She can't do the surgery coz of her age and shes so weak.. we afraid that she can't survive with the surgery.. so the option is chemotherapy using the gencitabine.. but still we afraid 😟 coz her bodys weak.☹️. She also having a maintenance for her diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure ☹️. Still looking for another option ☹️

[@alisa3doon458]

Hello Very nice and informative webinar. I just want to clarify, can you use Abraxin with Folfirinox? Thanks

[@HirshbergFoundation]

Please consult your doctor for what medications to use

[@streamsniperr]

Can a Child get pancreatic cancer? Because I am very concerned about my abdominal pain.

[@txmade4371]

Very rare.

[@ravneetkaur6786]

Can a advanced stage pancreatic Cancer be cured ? If the patient age is 66 or around.

[@kristoetik6801]

Mw diagnose with oancreatic cancer 2017 january. Whiple op, xeloda for 10 month, metastase to liver, 2018 folforinox for 5 month every 2 weeks. 1,5 fu, mta again to liver, rfa, folforinox again. 9!times , clear again. Jan 2020 gonto liver and mediasternum. Now. Khemo itu irenotekan liposom and 5fu, 4 times, in progress. What is your sugest for my treatment

[@HirshbergFoundation]

Hi Kris, Please connect with us for personalized patient support here: pancreatic.org/patients-caregivers/patient-support/

[@refatkhalefa4798]

How are u

[@Caveman1420]

2 1/2 years ago at 42years old I had a Whipple and found out I had stage 3 pancreatic cancer did 12 cycles of the the treatment with 3 drugs and steroids this was hell. The 30 radiation with 5fu pump. It lasted 1 year May I found out it is in my lungs. I am finally getting a lung biopsy in a week. They are doing a wedge resection one or two tumors . But there are multiple 8 to 9 in each lung two months ago. I had a bronchscope but could not do a biopsy. This make sence low dose chemo for qualityof life.. They wanted me in May to do chemo again I said no not again. I was thinking just to do a cinnical trial that why I waited. If I am going to suffer for 2 extra months it is not worth it. I had genetic testing done I have the genes 5 of them but have to find out if it msi h for mono. Antibodies treatment. If not msi h I may do this approach. I just do not want to suffer again and die. I had two shrink but I been just doing cbd and All in One Master Tonic cleanse juice made with cinnamon, clove, lemon, ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper, honey, apple cider vinegar Non-GMO Hopefully they are still shrinking but they did not say about the others ones. I hate that just list them all and not beat around the bush. Or say no change. All I can say is do your research and find a good doctor. Good luck. This is my experience going though this. And I did do dog dewormer for two months over the summer. But was told why are you doing that. By another doctor I had no change in 3 months on scans.

[@paulineoow9640]

My mum got diagnosed with pancreatic cancer stage 3 two months ago ,it has spread to the blood but unfortunately the whiple procedure cannot be done in Africa...kindly advice

[@HirshbergFoundation]

Hi Pauline, You can get in contact with our Patient Support Services here: pancreatic.org/patients-caregivers/patient-support/ We are based in the US but will try to find resources and support for you and your family 💜