Real-world efficacy and safety of anlotinib combined with chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer: a retrospective study.

[BACKGROUND] Pancreatic cancer (PC) is often diagnosed at advanced stages, limiting surgical options. There is no standardized treatment for second-line or beyond therapies, necessitating alternative treatments. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of anlotinib combined with chemotherapy in advanced PC patients receiving second-line or subsequent treatments.

[METHODS] A retrospective analysis of 68 advanced PC patients was conducted. Twenty-six patients treated with anlotinib and chemotherapy were compared to 42 controls who received chemotherapy only. Demographic data, efficacy, survival, and adverse reactions were analyzed.

[RESULTS] In the anlotinib group, the therapeutic responses were as follows: Complete Response: 0, Partial Response: 2 (7.7%), Stable Disease: 13 (50.0%), and Progressive Disease: 11 (42.3%), the Objective Remission Rate was 7.7%, and the Disease Control Rate was 57.7%. The median Progression-Free Survival was 4.5 months. The Overall Survival was significantly longer in the anlotinib group compared to controls. Common adverse reactions included fatigue, bone marrow suppression, and hypertension, mostly grade 1-3. The potential toxicity and cumulative toxicity of long-term use is hand-foot syndrome, hypothyroidism and hypertension.

[CONCLUSION] The data generated suggest that anlotinib combined with chemotherapy may be an effective and tolerable option for second-line and subsequent treatment of advanced PC.