Clinical Research Directory

CA-4948 Added to Standard Chemotherapy to Treat Metastatic or Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer

This phase I trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of emavusertib (CA-4948) in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel in treating patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic) or cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable). CA-4948 is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of abnormal proteins called interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) that signal cells to multiply. This may help keep cancer cells from growing. The usual approach for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is treatment with chemotherapy drugs gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel. Gemcitabine is a chemotherapy drug that blocks the cells from making DNA and may kill cancer cells. Paclitaxel is in a class of medications called anti-microtubule agents. It stops cancer cells from growing and dividing and may kill them. Nab-paclitaxel is an albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation of paclitaxel which may have fewer side effects and work better than other forms of paclitaxel. Giving CA-4948 in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel may shrink or stabilize metastatic or unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Targeted Pathway Inhibition in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer

This early phase I trial aims to determine how cobimetinib, olaparib, onvansertib, azenosertib, AZD5305 or tremelimumab works in patients with pancreatic cancer. Validation of cobimetinib, olaparib, onvansertib azenosertib, AZD5305 and tremelimumab molecular targets will be explored by comparing pre-treatment biopsies with post-treatment specimens. This knowledge will help design future biomarker driven trials to determine whether giving cobimetinib, or olaparib, or onvansertib or azenosertib, or AZD5305, or tremelimumab will work better than standard treatments in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Lenvatinib and Pembrolizumab Maintenance Therapy for the Treatment of Patients of Advanced Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer

This phase II trial studies the effects of lenvatinib and pembrolizumab maintenance therapy in treating patients with pancreatic cancer that has spread to other places in the body (advanced) and cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable). Lenvatinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving lenvatinib and pembrolizumab may be effective as a maintenance therapy in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Sonoporation and Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

This phase I/II trial studies the effect of sonoporation in addition to standard of care chemotherapy in treating patients with pancreatic cancer. Sonoporation is a novel method that uses ultrasound and microbubbles to increase therapeutic effect by increasing uptake or enhance sensitization. Sonoporation together with chemotherapy may work better in treating patients with pancreatic cancer compared to chemotherapy alone.

Gemcitabine and Leflunomide in Patients With Advanced Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer

This phase Ib trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of leflunomide in combination with gemcitabine in treating patients with pancreatic cancer that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced) and cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable). Improving the effectiveness of gemcitabine without increasing side effects could lead to a greater impact for pancreatic cancer patients' survival and quality of life. Gemcitabine is commonly used as a first-line chemotherapy treatment for pancreatic cancer. Leflunomide is a drug approved for use against rheumatoid arthritis that is being looked at as a cancer treatment option. It has shown promising results when combined with gemcitabine. Giving gemcitabine in combination with leflunomide may be safe and effective in treating patients with advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer.