Second-Line Irinotecan Liposome-Based Treatment Modalities Demonstrate Efficacy and Safety Among Patients With Advanced Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer

According to results from a real-world study, irinotecan liposome-based regimens in the second-line setting demonstrated both efficacy and safety among patients with advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer. 

These data were first presented by Jin Xu, MD, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China, at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois. 

This observational study included 177 patients who had received irinotecan liposome plus fluorouracil either with (n = 42) or without (n = 89) oxaliplatin. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Key secondary end points included objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate, overall survival (OS), and safety. 

At analysis, the median treatment duration was 2.2 months, and the median dose of irinotecan liposome was 52.4 mg/m². The median PFS was 6 months. The ORR was 12.3% with 7 partial responses and 30 incidences of stable disease. The disease control rate was 64.9% and OS was not reached. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 57.6% of patients and grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 14.1% of patients. The most common events occurring in > 10% of patients included anemia (24.9%), nausea (17.5%), hypoalbuminemia (13.6%), and leucopenia (12.4%). No unexpected adverse events were observed.

“The results of this real-world study showed that irinotecan liposome-based regimens are effective and safe in the second-line treatment of advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer, which deserves further treatment and follow-up,” concluded Dr Xu. 

Source: 

Xu J, Shi S, Jiang K, et al. Irinotecan liposome in Chinese patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: A prospective, multicenter, observational real-world study. Presented at 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting. May 30-June 3, 2025; Chicago, IL. Abstract e16380