Study of Gemcitabine and Abraxane to Treat Potentially Operable Pancreatic Cancer

Overview[ - collapse ][ - ]

Purpose The main purpose of this research study is to evaluate whether Abraxane and gemcitabine are effective in treating patients with operable pancreatic cancer.
ConditionResectable Pancreatic Cancer
InterventionDrug: Gemcitabine and Abraxane
PhasePhase 2
SponsorPancreatic Cancer Research Team
Responsible PartyPancreatic Cancer Research Team
ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT01298011
First ReceivedFebruary 14, 2011
Last UpdatedFebruary 13, 2014
Last verifiedFebruary 2014

Tracking Information[ + expand ][ + ]

First Received DateFebruary 14, 2011
Last Updated DateFebruary 13, 2014
Start DateMay 2011
Estimated Primary Completion DateDecember 2014
Current Primary Outcome MeasuresGrade III/IV histological response in tumor specimen rate after induction therapy. [Time Frame: At time of surgery] [Designated as safety issue: No]
Current Secondary Outcome Measures
  • Number of participants with adverse events. [Time Frame: From the initial dose of study drug up to 28 days after last dose of study drug.] [Designated as safety issue: Yes]
  • Tumor response rate to therapy. [Time Frame: Baseline and 16 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]Pre and post therapy radiological assessments of the primary tumor will be compared using RECIST criteria.
  • Change in CA 19-9 [Time Frame: Baseline, Day 1 of each cycle, and end of therapy.] [Designated as safety issue: No]Baseline CA19-9 and subsequent levels will be compared.
  • Resection rate at surgery [Time Frame: At time of surgery] [Designated as safety issue: No]The number of patients who have R0 and R1 surgery will be compiled.
  • Time to recurrence [Time Frame: Time from first dose of study drug to date of first documented progression or date of death, whichever occurs first, assessed up to 60 months.] [Designated as safety issue: No]
  • SPARC protein expression in tumor [Time Frame: At time of surgery] [Designated as safety issue: No]
  • Overall Survival [Time Frame: Time from the first dose of study drug until date of death from any cause, up to 60 months.] [Designated as safety issue: No]

Descriptive Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Brief TitleStudy of Gemcitabine and Abraxane to Treat Potentially Operable Pancreatic Cancer
Official TitleA Pilot Phase II Multi Center Study of Gemcitabine and Nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) as Preoperative Therapy for Potentially Operable Pancreatic Cancer
Brief Summary
The main purpose of this research study is to evaluate whether Abraxane and gemcitabine are
effective in treating patients with operable pancreatic cancer.
Detailed Description
The best outcome for a patient diagnosed with pancreatic cancer is surgery. However many
patients have recurrence of the cancer after successful surgery. The investigators are
evaluating chemotherapy before surgery, which is a new approach.

In this study, Abraxane and gemcitabine will be tested as treatment for people with operable
pancreatic cancer to see if surgery can be successfully performed and if treatment will
reduce cancer cells in the tumor at surgery.

Abraxane is approved by the US FDA for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer after
failure of combination chemotherapy for metastatic disease or relapse within 6 months of
adjuvant chemotherapy. Gemcitabine is approved by the FDA for first line treatment for
patients with locally advanced or metastatic cancer of the pancreas.
Study TypeInterventional
Study PhasePhase 2
Study DesignEndpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment
ConditionResectable Pancreatic Cancer
InterventionDrug: Gemcitabine and Abraxane
3 treatments for gemcitabine and abraxane every 28-days for 3 months, prior to surgery.
Other Names:
  • nab-paclitaxel
  • gemzar
Study Arm (s)Experimental: Gemcitabine & Abraxane Pancreatic Cancer

Recruitment Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Recruitment StatusActive, not recruiting
Estimated Enrollment25
Estimated Completion DateDecember 2014
Estimated Primary Completion DateDecember 2013
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient has histologically or cytologically confirmed potentially resectable
adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Patients with islet cell neoplasms are excluded.

Definition of potentially operable disease

1. Staging by high-quality, pancreatic protocol, helical abdominal computed
tomography required (Endoscopic ultrasound is not required).

2. No extension to superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and hepatic artery.

3. Clear fat plane between the SMA and celiac axis.

4. No extension to celiac axis and hepatic artery.

5. Patent superior mesenteric vein and portal vein.

6. No evidence of distant or extra-hepatic disease by CT scans.

7. Pretreatment histological or cytological confirmation of an adenocarcinoma.

2. Male or non-pregnant and non-lactating female, and ≥ 18 years of age.

3. If a female patient is of child-bearing potential, she must have a negative serum
pregnancy test (β hCG) documented within 72 hours of the first administration of
study drug.

4. If sexually active, the patient must agree to use contraception considered adequate
and appropriate by the Investigator.

5. Patient must have received no prior chemotherapy or radiation for pancreatic cancer
and no exposure to gemcitabine and/or Abraxane

6. Patient has the following blood counts at baseline:

1. ANC ≥ 1.5 x 109/L (1500 /mm³);

2. Platelets ≥ 100 x 109/L; (100,000/mm³);

3. Hgb ≥ 10 g/dL.

7. Patient has the following blood chemistry levels at baseline:

1. AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT) ≤ 2.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN);

2. Alkaline phosphatase (AP) ≤ 2.5 X ULN;

3. Total bilirubin ≤1.5 mg/dl;

4. Serum creatinine ≤1.5mg/dl or calculated clearance ≥ 50 mL/min/1.73 m² for
patients with serum creatinine levels >1.5 mg/dl.

8. Patient has acceptable coagulation status as indicated by a PT within normal limits
(±15%) and PTT within normal limits (± 15%).

9. Patient has an ECOG performance status PS 0-1.

10. Patient has been informed about the nature of the study, and has agreed to
participate in the study, and signed the Informed Consent Form prior to participation
in any study-related activities.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patient has borderline resectable disease

2. Patient uses therapeutic coumadin for a history of pulmonary emboli or DVT.

3. Patient has active, uncontrolled bacterial, viral, or fungal infection(s) requiring
systemic therapy.

4. Patient has known infection with HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C.

5. Patient has undergone major surgery, other than diagnostic surgery (i.e.--surgery
done to obtain a biopsy for diagnosis without removal of an organ), within 4 weeks
prior to Day 1 of treatment in this study.

6. Prior chemotherapy or radiation for pancreatic cancer. Prior exposure to gemcitabine
and/or Abraxane.

7. Patient has a history of allergy or hypersensitivity to the study drugs.

8. Patient has serious medical risk factors involving any of the major organ systems
such that the Investigator considers it unsafe for the patient to receive an
experimental research drug.

9. Patient is unwilling or unable to comply with study procedures.

10. Patient is enrolled in any other therapeutic clinical protocol or investigational
trial.

11. Patient has metastatic disease on radiological staging.

12. Patients aged ≥ 80 are not excluded. As two events of fatal sepsis have been seen in
this group in other studies, candidates in this age group should be thoroughly
evaluated before enrollment in the study, to ensure they are fit to receive
chemotherapy. In addition to meeting all of the baseline patient selection criteria,
clinical judgment on their susceptibility to infection and expected stability of
their performance status as to receive repeat weekly chemotherapy cycles, should be
paid special attention to. Patients should not be enrolled in the study should there
be any hesitation on any of these considerations. Baseline criteria for all patients
enrolled on the study must be carefully evaluated and all criteria followed
appropriately.
GenderBoth
Ages18 Years
Accepts Healthy VolunteersNo
ContactsNot Provided
Location CountriesUnited States

Administrative Information[ + expand ][ + ]

NCT Number NCT01298011
Other Study ID NumbersPCRT 10-001
Has Data Monitoring CommitteeNo
Information Provided ByPancreatic Cancer Research Team
Study SponsorPancreatic Cancer Research Team
CollaboratorsCelgene Corporation
Investigators Principal Investigator: Ramesh K. Ramanathan, MD TGen Drug Development
Verification DateFebruary 2014

Locations[ + expand ][ + ]

TGen Clinical Research Services at Scottsdale Healthcare
Scottsdale, Arizona, United States, 85258
St Mary's / Trinity Health Care
Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, 49505
Virginia Piper Cancer Institute
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55408
University of Pittsburg Medical Center
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, United States, 19047