Combining AK104 with chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer treatment

A Multicenter, Open-label, Phase II Study of AK104, a PD-1/CTLA-4 Bispecific Antibody, in Combination With Chemotherapy as First-line Treatment in Patients With Locally Advanced Unresectable or Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

This study is testing a new treatment that combines a drug called AK104 with chemotherapy to see if it helps people with advanced pancreatic cancer who haven't had treatment before.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 78 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 75 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Akeso (Industry-sponsored)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy
• Locations: 7 sites (Beijing, Beijing Municipality and 6 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT05859750 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This multicenter, open-label, phase II study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of AK104, a bispecific antibody targeting PD-1 and CTLA-4, in combination with various chemotherapy agents as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The study aims to assess pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, pharmacodynamics, and anti-tumor activity of the treatment regimen. Participants will receive AK104 alongside standard chemotherapy options such as Gemcitabine and Nab-Paclitaxel. The trial focuses on patients who have not previously undergone systemic therapy for their cancer.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 75 with histologically confirmed advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who have not received prior systemic therapy.

Not a fit: Patients with prior systemic therapy for locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer within the last 6 months may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new effective option for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with similar immunotherapy approaches in treating various cancers, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Ability to understand and voluntarily sign a written informed consent form (ICF), which must be signed before the specified study procedures required for the study are performed.
2. Males or females aged ≥ 18 years and ≤ 75 years at the time of signing the ICF.
3. Histologically or cytologically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
4. Patients have not received prior systemic therapy for locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer; for patients who have received prior induction chemotherapy, concurrent chemoradiotherapy, or adjuvant/neoadjuvant chemotherapy for curative intent, the time between disease progression and last treatment should be at least 6 months.
5. Patients have at least one measurable tumor lesion per RECIST v1.1; lesions that received radiotherapy are not selected as target lesions, unless the lesion is the only measurable lesion and has unequivocal progression as judged by imaging, it can be considered as a target lesion.
6. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1.
7. Expected survival ≥ 3 months.
8. Patients who have adequate organ function.
9. Women of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days prior to the first dose and agree to take effective contraception measures during the study drug administration and within 120 days after the last dose. Male patients with female partners of childbearing potential must agree to take effective contraception measures during the study drug administration and within 120 days after the last dose.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Histologically or cytologically confirmed other pathological types, such as acinar cell carcinoma, pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms or pancreatoblastoma.
2. Known active or untreated brain metastases, meningeal metastases, spinal cord compression, or leptomeningeal disease.
3. Patients with known germ line BRAC1/2 mutation.
4. Presence of clinically symptomatic pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, or ascites requiring frequent drainage (≥ 1/month).
5. Patients who, in the opinion of the investigator, have symptoms or signs suggestive of clinically unacceptable deterioration of the primary disease at the time of screening.
6. Active malignancies within the past 3 years, with the exception of tumors in this study and cured local tumors.
7. Major surgery other than the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer within 28 days prior to the first dose or major surgery is expected during the study.
8. Pregnant or lactating women.
9. Patients who received any prior treatments targeting the mechanism of tumor immunity.
10. Patients with known contraindications to prescribed chemotherapy regimen (see instructions for specific drug).
11. Patients with known medical history of severe hypersensitivity reactions to other monoclonal antibodies or intravenous gamma globulin.
12. Active autoimmune disease within 2 years prior to the start of study treatmen.
13. Known active pulmonary tuberculosis.
14. Patients with active hepatitis B or active hepatitis C.
15. Known medical history of immunodeficiency or positive HIV test.
16. Patients with active infection.
17. Known history of allogeneic organ transplantation and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
18. Concurrent participation in another clinical study, unless it is an observational, non-interventional clinical study or the follow-up period of an interventional study.
19. Any condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may result in a risk when receiving the study drug, or would interfere with the evaluation of the study drug or the safety of patients, or the interpretation of the study results.

Where this trial is running

Beijing, Beijing Municipality and 6 other locations

• Peking Union Medical College Hospital — Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China (Recruiting)
• Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center — Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (Recruiting)
• Union Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science And Technology — Wuhan, Hubei, China (Recruiting)
• Shandong Cancer Hospital — Jinan, Shandong, China (Recruiting)
• Shanghai Changhai Hospital — Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China (Recruiting)
• Zhejiang Cancer Hospital — Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China (Recruiting)
• Zhejiang Provincial People's hospital — Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Zhifang Yao, MD

Conditions Pancreatic Cancer