This study compare the efficacy of Astragalus combined with Gemcitabine to Gemcitabine alone as neoadjuvant treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma;
Is 18 years of age or older;
ECOG performance status 0 to 2;
Transaminases AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) ≤ 2.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN). If liver function abnormalities are due to underlying liver metastasis, then AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) may be ≤ 5 times ULN.
CNS damage or soft meningeal disease;
Metastasis to distant sites;
Other serious diseases or conditions, including congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association class III or IV), unstable angina pectoris, infarction in the past 6 months, severe arrhythmia, prolonged QT interval, active HIV infection or HIV disease, mental disorders, and substance abuse;
Known hypersensitivity to Astragalus or gemcitabine;