The 5-year relative survival rate is low at about 3%, and patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, who have a high recurrence rate, are now able to experience a new treatment method that selectively eliminates cancer cells. The 5-year relative survival rate refers to the likelihood of cancer patients surviving for 5 years compared to the 5-year survival rate of the general population.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare held the first meeting of the Advanced Regenerative Medicine and Advanced Biopharmaceuticals Review Committee on the 23rd, and as a result of reviewing two clinical research plans, one was deemed suitable and the other deemed unsuitable, it was announced on the 24th.
The project deemed suitable by the review committee is the first-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. The 5-year relative survival rate for pancreatic cancer is the lowest among all cancer types, and the 10-year cancer observation survival rate is only 9.4%. Advanced pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect early, with a survival rate of less than one year; even after curative surgery, the recurrence rate is high.
FOLFIRINOX, the most commonly used chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer, is a regimen that combines four anti-cancer drugs: oxaliplatin, irinotecan, leucovorin, and 5-fluorouracil. However, the response rate is low, with an average survival period of not exceeding one year, and treatment is often discontinued due to various toxicity issues.
This study will use m-polyfirox, which reduces the dosage of FOLFIRINOX to decrease toxicity. To enhance the treatment effect for pancreatic cancer, autologous cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells that selectively eliminate tumors will be administered to patients, and it is expected that the survival period will be extended compared to administering m-polyfirox alone.
Kim Woo-ki, secretary-general of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Advanced Regenerative Medicine and Advanced Biopharmaceuticals Review Committee, noted, "The review committee broadly recognizes research attempts to ensure safety for serious conditions where there are no alternative therapies or are life-threatening," adding, "We will strive to ensure that medical institutions can conduct clinically sound research plans."