Association between the use of antibiotics and efficacy of gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel in advanced pancreatic cancer

Abstract

It is unclear whether the use of antibiotics is related to the efficacy of gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP). Therefore, we investigated the association between the use of antibiotics and efficacy of GnP.We conducted a retrospective single center study from January 2014 to December 2018 in Hokkaido University Hospital.Ninety-nine patients were eligible for the study. Thirty-seven used antibiotics (U) and 62 did not use antibiotics (NU) during GnP therapy. In the U group, 15 patients used β-lactam antibiotics, 21 used new quinolones, and 1 used carbapenem. The median progression-free survival was 5.8 and 2.7 months (hazards ratio [HR].602, 95% confidence interval [CI].391-.928, P=.022) and the median overall survival was 11.0 and 8.4 months (HR.768, 95% CI.491-1.202, P=.248) in the U and not use antibiotics groups, respectively. Antibiotic use (HR.489, 95% CI.287-.832, P=.008) and locally advanced pancreatic cancer (HR 1.808, 95% CI 1.051-3.112, P=.032) were independent prognostic factors for progression-free survival.Antibiotic use was associated with a higher efficacy of GnP, and therefore, it may be employed as a novel treatment strategy.