Long-term complete remission of two patients with synchronous liver metastasis from pancreatic cancer and underlying BRCA-2 mutation

Acta Gastroenterol Belg. 2024 Oct-Dec;87(4):521-523. doi: 10.51821/87.4.11787.

Abstract

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a known poor prognosis. For a select group, those with BRCA mutations, frontline platinum-based therapy and poly (ADPribose) polymerase inhibitors are options that can potentially lead to survival benefit.

Patients and methods: We present 2 cases of patients with BRCAmutated pancreatic cancer with liver metastases that achieved a remarkable long-term complete remission on platinum-based chemotherapy.

Conclusion: Germline testing for BRCA is important in PDAC because it influences treatment choices that impact survival. Complete responses with chemotherapy alone are rarely observed in metastatic PDAC, but may be seen upon treatment with platinum-based therapy.

Keywords: BRCA mutation; case study; liver metastasis; pancreatic carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • BRCA2 Protein / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / secondary
  • Female
  • Germ-Line Mutation
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Liver Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms* / secondary
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Remission Induction*

Substances

  • BRCA2 Protein
  • BRCA2 protein, human