IRESSA combined with radiotherapy & gemcitabine as first-line treatment in locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Inclusion Criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• - Histologically confirmed pancreatic cancer (aspiration biopsy by fine needle [PAAF] by USE or biopsy guide by ECO-CT). It is mandatory the diagnostic by USE and will recommend the aspiration biopsy with this technique
• - Tumoural volume by TAC < 500 cc
• - Aged 18 to 75 years inclusive
• - Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) £ 1
• - Life-expectancy of more than 12 weeks
• - Women of child-bearing potential must be willing to practice reliable methods of birth control to prevent pregnancy
• Exclusion Criteria:
• - Previous radiotherapy or chemotherapy for malignant disease
• - Other co-existing malignancies or malignancies diagnosed within the last 5 years with the exception of basal cell carcinoma or cervical cancer in situ
• - In the opinion of the investigator, any evidence of severe or uncontrolled systemic disease (e.g. unstable or uncompensated respiratory, cardiac, hepatic or renal disease)
• - Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) less than 1.5 x 109/litre (L), platelets less than 100 x 109/L or haemoglobin less than 9 mg/dL; Prothrombin time (PT) less than 50%; Serum bilirubin greater than 2.5 times the upper limit of reference range (ULRR; Creatinine clearance less than 45 mL/min; ALT or AST greater than 2.5 times the ULRR
• - Active dermatoses (e.g. psoriasis, eczema)
• - Concomitant use of phenytoin, carbamazepine, barbiturates, rifampicin, or drugs with known corneal toxicity
• - Known, severe hypersensitivity to ZD1839 or any of the excipients of this product