Combining Chemotherapy with Targeted Ablation for Pancreatic Cancer
A single-arm phase II study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combination systematic chemotherapy and multiple rounds of endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation in pancreatic cancer
This research is testing a new way to treat pancreatic cancer by combining standard chemotherapy with a targeted heat treatment called radiofrequency ablation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11160436 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Pancreatic cancer is often hard to treat because it resists therapies and is usually found at a late stage. This approach aims to improve treatment by using a special heat treatment, called endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA), directly on the tumor. This heat treatment works alongside chemotherapy to potentially make both treatments more effective. Researchers are looking at how this combination affects the tumor and the body's immune response.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who may be eligible for systemic chemotherapy and local ablation.
Not a fit: Patients whose pancreatic cancer is too advanced or who cannot tolerate chemotherapy or the ablation procedure may not receive benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this combination treatment could offer a new and more effective option for patients with pancreatic cancer, potentially improving survival outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown that endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) is safe and feasible when used with chemotherapy in a small group of patients.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thosani, Nirav — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Thosani, Nirav
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.