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Timing of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: A nationwide analysis

  • P. C.M. Andel
  • , I. W.J.M. van Goor
  • , Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Group
  • , N. C. Biesma
  • , L. Urban
  • , M. G. Besselink
  • , B. A. Bonsing
  • , K. Bosscha
  • , Olivier R. Busch
  • , G. A. Cirkel
  • , R. M. van Dam
  • , C.H.J. van Eijck
  • , S. Festen
  • , B. Groot Koerkamp
  • , E. van der Harst
  • , I. H.J.T. de Hingh
  • , M. P.W. Intven
  • , G. Kazemier
  • , H. W.M. van Laarhoven
  • , M. S.L. Liem
  • M. Los, V. E. de Meijer, V. B. Nieuwenhuijs, D. Roos, J. M.J. Schreinemakers, M. W.J. Stommel, G. van Tienhoven, R. C. Verdonk, J. de Vos-Geelen, J. W. Wilmink, F. de Wit, M. L. Wumkes, V. P. Groot, H. C. van Santvoort, L. A. Daamen, I. Q. Molenaar
  • UMC Utrecht Cancer Center
  • St. Antonius Hospital
  • St. Antonius Ziekenhuis
  • University of Amsterdam
  • Leiden University
  • Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis
  • Utrecht University
  • Maastricht University
  • OLVG
  • Maasstad Hospital
  • Catharina Hospital
  • Cancer Center Amsterdam (CCA)
  • Amsterdam UMC
  • Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
  • Medisch Spectrum Twente
  • University of Groningen
  • University Medical Centre Groningen
  • Isala Clinics
  • Renier de Graaf Gasthuis
  • Amphia Hospital
  • Radboud University Medical Center
  • Regional Academic Cancer Center Utrecht
  • Tjongerschans Ziekenhuis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
103 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: 

Guidelines recommend a time to adjuvant chemotherapy (TTC) within 12 weeks after pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) resection. The aim of this study to evaluate the association between TTC and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing PDAC resection in the Netherlands. 

METHODS: 

Patients undergoing upfront, macroscopically radical PDAC resection (2014-2019) in the Netherlands were included. Patients were stratified into receiving no adjuvant chemotherapy, TTC 0-6 weeks, TTC 6-12 weeks, and TTC ≥12 weeks. Multivariable cox and logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between TTC and overall survival (OS), and between TTC and adjuvant chemotherapy completion. 

RESULTS: 

Of 1459 patients, 543 (37 %) did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy, while TTC was 0-6 weeks in 245 (17 %), 6-12 weeks in 612 (42 %), and ≥12 weeks in 59 (4 %) patients. TTC in weeks (HR 0.99, 95 %CI 0.97-1.01, P = 0.39) and different TTC groups were not associated with OS (TTC 6-12 weeks vs TTC 0-6 weeks: HR 1.06, 95 %CI 0.76-1.49, P = 0.72, TTC ≥12 weeks vs TTC 0-6 weeks: (HR 0.62, 95 %CI 0.32-1.21, P = 0.16). Adjuvant chemotherapy completion was associated with improved OS (HR 0.81, 95 %CI 0.51-0.98, P = 0.04). Compared to TTC 0-6 weeks, TTC 6-12 weeks was associated with adjuvant chemotherapy completion (OR 1.57, 95 %CI 1.33-1.84, P < 0.001), while TTC ≥12 weeks was not (OR 1.13, 95 %CI 0.85-1.51, P = 0.39). 

CONCLUSION: 

TTC in patients with upfront PDAC resection was not associated with survival, but TTC 6-12 weeks was associated with adjuvant chemotherapy completion. These findings support prioritizing postoperative recovery rather than pushing early adjuvant chemotherapy initiation.

Original languageEnglish
Article number111165
Number of pages1
JournalEuropean journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology
Volume52
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2026

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

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