Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase1; Phase2 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Combination treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer

Official title: Phase 2A Pilot Trial of Metformin, Digoxin, Simvastatin (C3) in Combination With Gemcitabine in Subjects With Recurrent / Refractory Metastatic Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Run by State University of New York - Downstate Medical Center · NCT06030622 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a combination of three medications with Gemcitabine to see if it can help people with advanced pancreatic cancer who haven't had much success with other treatments.

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment25 (estimated)
SponsorState University of New York - Downstate Medical Center
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, Erlotinib
Locations1 site (Brooklyn, New York)
StatusRecruiting
StartedApril 17, 2024
Main results expectedDecember 1, 2028
Study endsDecember 30, 2028
Registry record updatedAugust 3, 2026
Trial IDNCT06030622 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with histologically confirmed pancreatic cancer who have experienced disease progression after at least one standard treatment.

Probably not a fit

Patients who have not been previously treated for advanced pancreatic cancer or those with significant comorbidities may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This trial evaluates the safety and effectiveness of a combination of metformin, digoxin, and simvastatin (C3) alongside Gemcitabine in patients with recurrent or refractory metastatic pancreatic cancer. Participants will receive these medications for up to two years, with the aim of assessing their tolerability and potential to improve disease response and prolong survival. The study focuses on patients who have not seen significant improvements from previous treatments, making it a targeted approach for this challenging condition.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve survival rates and quality of life for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have indicated that the combination of metformin and simvastatin may improve survival in pancreatic cancer patients, suggesting a promising avenue for this approach.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subject ≥18 years with histologically confirmed pancreatic cancer.
2. Refractory, intolerant to, or with disease progression after at least one standard of care regimen.
3. ECOG performance status (PS) 0-1.
4. Pretreatment biopsy and/or adequate archival tissue available for BIRC5 protein level evaluation.
5. Adequate organ and marrow function: absolute granulocyte count ≥1,000/mm3, platelets ≥100,000/mm3, total bilirubin ≤ institutional upper normal limit, AST/ALT ≤2x institutional upper limit of normal, and creatinine \<1.5 mg/dL or calculated creatinine clearance \> 60ml / min (Cockcroft-Gault Equation).
6. Subject has recovered to CTCAE Grade 1 (except for alopecia) or better from all adverse events associated with prior therapy or surgery. Pre-existing motor or sensory neurologic pathology or symptoms must be recovered to CTCAE Grade 2 or better.
7. If participant of childbearing potential, has a negative urine or serum pregnancy test. If the urine test is positive or cannot be confirmed as negative, a negative serum test will be required for study entry. Serum pregnancy tests will be conducted at the time of screening, when other blood draws are obtained (See Appendix III: Time-Table of Procedures).
8. Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed protocol specific consent.
9. Willing and able to comply with the protocol for the duration of the study including undergoing treatment and scheduled visits and examinations including follow up.
10. No known active infections at the time of enrollment as determined by negative procalcitonin level.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Anti-cancer chemotherapy, biologic therapy or immunotherapy within 3 weeks or radiation therapy within 2 weeks of first investigational product administration.
2. Known history of other malignancy unless having undergone curative intent therapy without evidence of that disease for ≥ 3 years except cutaneous squamous cell and basal cell skin cancer, superficial bladder cancer, in situ cervical cancer or other in situ cancers are allowed if definitively resected.
3. Brain metastases unless treated with curative intent (gamma knife or surgical resection) and without evidence of progression for ≥ 2 months.
4. Known history of rhabdomyolysis.
5. History of or current evidence of any condition (including medical, psychiatric or substance abuse disorder), therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the study, interfere with the subject's participation for the full duration of the study, or is not in the best interest of the subject to participate, in the opinion of the Investigator.
6. Known chronic Hepatitis B or C infection.
7. Have current active infection requiring systemic antibiotic treatment.
8. History of severe allergic, anaphylactic, hypersensitivity reactions or previous intolerance to Metformin, Simvastatin, and/or Digoxin.
9. Patients with significant cardiac disease or condition listed below (unless clearance obtained by cardiology):

   1. Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome.
   2. Previous MI within last 6 months of C1D1.
   3. Evidence of residual electrographic pattern consistent with heart block., for example atrio-ventricular (AV) heart block (currently ongoing).
   4. History of ventricular fibrillation.
   5. Sick Sinus Syndrome or Sinus bradycardia thought to be caused by sinus node disease, unless effectively treated.
   6. Heart failure with preserved LVEF, including constructive pericarditis, and amyloid heart disease.
10. Acute cor pulmonale, restrictive cardiomyopathy, and Amyloid heart muscle disease.
11. Participants of childbearing potential who are found to be pregnant as evidenced by positive serum pregnancy test (minimum sensitivity 25 IU/L or equivalent units of HCG) or nursing.
12. Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with evaluation of study treatment or interpretation of patient safety or trial results.
13. Cognitively impaired and diminished capacity.

Where it's running

  • SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
    Brooklyn, New York, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.