Study finds CT scans predict chemotherapy response in pancreatic cancer

[D.ap]

Computed tomography (CT) scans routinely taken to guide the treatment of pancreatic cancer may provide an important secondary benefit. According to new research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, the scans also reflect how well chemotherapy will penetrate the tumor, predicting the effectiveness of treatment.

The research, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, is the first human study to address the issue of chemotherapy delivery to pancreatic tumors, a problem previously shown in animal studies.


Jason Fleming, M.D.

“We found that the distribution of intravenous dye used in CT scans is a surrogate for chemotherapy delivery in the tumor,” said Jason Fleming, M.D., professor in Surgical Oncology and corresponding author of the study. “Our results indicate that combining data from routine CT scans and using a mathematical formula developed by our team can predict response, guide patient treatment and lead to efforts to improve drug delivery.”



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