Changes in CRP and CA19-9 during Preoperative Oncological Therapy Predict Postoperative Survival in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION

Tumor and systemic inflammatory markers predict survival. This retrospective study aimed to explore the changes in CRP, CA19-9, and other routine laboratory tests during preoperative oncological therapy as prognostic factors in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

METHODS

Between 2000 and 2016, 68 borderline resectable PDAC patients received preoperative oncological therapy and underwent subsequent surgery at Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. We investigated changes in CRP, CA19-9, CEA, albumin, leukocytes, bilirubin, and platelets and examined the impact on survival.

RESULTS

In the multivariate analysis, CRP remaining at ≥3 mg/L after preoperative oncological therapy predicted a poorer postoperative outcome when compared to CRP decreasing to or remaining at <3 mg/L (hazard ratio [HR] 2.766, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.300-5.885, p = 0.008). Furthermore, a CA19-9 decrease >90% during preoperative treatment predicted a favorable postoperative outcome (HR 0.297, 95% CI: 0.124-0.708, p = 0.006). In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, the median survival for patients with CRP remaining at <3 mg/L was longer than among patients with an increased CRP level at ≥3 mg/L (42 months vs. 24 months, p = 0.001). Patients with a CA19-9 decrease >90% or level normalization (to ≤37 kU/L) during preoperative treatment exhibited a median survival of 47 months; those with a 50-90% decrease, 15 months; and those with a <50% decrease, 17 months (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in CRP and CA19-9 during preoperative oncological therapy predict postoperative survival.