In this article
- Dr Afsaneh Barzi Reviews Current and Emerging Neoadjuvant Therapies for Non-Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
- LAPACT Trial Results Show Gemcitabine and Nab-Paclitaxel Combination Enables Surgery in 15 Percent of Patients
- FOLFIRINOX Meta-Analysis in Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Demonstrates Improved Surgical Resection Rates
- How CancerFax Helps
In a recent interview, Dr. Afsaneh Barzi, assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, told you about existing and emerging new adjuvant therapies for patients with non-metastatic pancreatic cancer. Gemcitabine is given to patients with pancreatic cancer as a standard practice to assess response. However, Barzi said that the patient's response to gemcitabine was very poor and that many patients were unable to undergo surgery.
The LAPACT trial investigated the combination therapy of gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane). Tests show that 36% of pancreatic cancer patients respond to treatment, and about 15% of pancreatic cancer patients can receive surgical treatment.
In addition, a meta-analysis of the FOLFIRINOX study of patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer showed that approximately 28% of pancreatic cancer patients were able to undergo surgery. Barzi explained that as chemotherapy becomes more effective, the likelihood of resection increases. Therefore, the patient's resection should be evaluated accordingly. Barzi concluded that although most patients may still not be eligible for surgery, it is still worth evaluating patients to find patients who can undergo surgery after neoadjuvant therapy.
How CancerFax Helps
CancerFax is a specialist cancer access and patient-navigation platform. We help patients and families understand their options, organise medical records, coordinate hospital communication, and support cross-border treatment planning where appropriate.
We help collect and organise reports, scans, pathology, biomarker results, and treatment history for structured case review.
We communicate with hospitals or trial teams to assess whether a case may be suitable for further screening.
We support appointment coordination, document submission, translation, and direct communication with international departments.
For international patients, we help with practical coordination — travel planning, hospital admission guidance, and local support.
If this option is not suitable, we help explore other relevant treatments, clinical trials, or advanced care pathways.
From inquiry through to follow-up, our coordinators provide a single point of contact for the family.
CancerFax does not guarantee treatment access, eligibility, or clinical outcome. Our role is to help patients access accurate information, structured review, and appropriate specialist pathways.
About Dr. Nishant Mittal
Dr. Nishant Mittal is a highly accomplished researcher with over 13 years of experience in the fields of cardiovascular biology and cancer research. Significant contributions to stem cell biology, developmental biology, and innovative research techniques mark his career. Research Highlights Dr. Mittal's research has focused on several key areas: 1) Cardio…
✓ Reviewed for medical accuracy by the CancerFax review panel.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified oncology specialist. Every patient's case is different. Treatment decisions should always be made after a review of complete medical records by the treating medical team.
Treatment availability, eligibility, timelines, and access can change. Any clinical trial participation depends on detailed review and approval by the trial hospital or investigator.