Phase I/II study of preoperative (pre-op) short course chemoradiation (CRT) with proton beam therapy (PBT) and capecitabine (cape) followed by early surgery for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) of the head.

4021 Background: Standard adjuvant 6 week CRT may delay and reduce tolerability of adjuvant gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. We explore the safety and efficacy of a one-week course of pre-op CRT with PBT and cape followed by early pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Methods: Patients with radiographically resectable, biopsy-proven PDAC of the head were enrolled from May 2007-December 2010 on this prospective, NCI-sponsored clinical trial. Eligibility included no CT involvement of SMA or celiac artery; No metastatic disease. Dose level 1 consisted of PBT delivered 3 Gy x 10. Pts in subsequent dose levels received 5 Gy x 5 in progressively shortened schedules: level 2 (wk 1 M W F, wk 2 T Th), level 3 (wk 1 M T Th F, wk 2 M), level 4 (wk 1 M-F). PBT was targeted at pancreatic mass with elective nodal coverage. Pts received Cape 825 mg/m2 BID wk 1 and 2 M-F. Surgery was performed 1-6 wks after completion of cape. Patients were recommended to receive 6 mo of gemcitabine after surgery. Genotyping of 15 genes (includin...