Comparing glufosfamide and 5-FU for advanced pancreatic cancer treatment

A Randomized Phase 3 Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Glufosfamide Compared With Fluorouracil (5-FU) in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Previously Treated With Gemcitabine

This study is testing whether a new drug called glufosfamide can help people with advanced pancreatic cancer live longer compared to the standard treatment of 5-FU.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 3
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 480 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Eleison Pharmaceuticals LLC. (Industry-sponsored)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy, radiation
• Locations: 3 sites (Whittier, California and 2 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT01954992 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of glufosfamide compared to bolus 5-FU in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma who have previously failed gemcitabine-based therapy. The study aims to determine if glufosfamide can provide a survival advantage over the standard treatment. Participants will be monitored for disease progression and response to treatment based on RECIST criteria. The trial includes patients who are at least 18 years old and have measurable or nonmeasurable disease.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma who have progressed after gemcitabine treatment.

Not a fit: Patients with non-metastatic pancreatic cancer or those who have not received prior gemcitabine therapy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could offer a new treatment option that improves survival for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have explored treatments for metastatic pancreatic cancer, but the specific comparison of glufosfamide to 5-FU is less common, making this approach relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* At least 18 years of age
* Pancreatic adenocarcinoma proven either by histology (surgical biopsy) or cytology (CT- or endoscopic-guided)
* Metastatic pancreatic cancer
* Disease progression during or after treatment with gemcitabine (alone or in combination with other agents; at regular, not radiosensitizing, doses)
* Measurable or nonmeasurable disease by RECIST criteria (at least one target or nontarget lesion)
* Recovered from reversible toxicities of prior therapy
* ECOG performance status 0-1
* All women of childbearing potential and all men must agree to use effective means of contraception (surgical sterilization or the use of barrier contraception with either a condom or diaphragm in conjunction with spermicidal gel or an IUD) from entry into the study through 6 months after the last dose of chemotherapy
* Ability to understand the purposes and risks of the study and has signed a written informed consent form approved by the investigator's IRB/Ethics Committee

Exclusion Criteria:

* More than one prior systemic therapy regimen for metastatic pancreatic cancer (radiosensitizing doses of 5-FU or gemcitabine at the time of initial radiotherapy do not count as a prior systemic therapy regimen)
* Hormonal therapy, radiation therapy, biologic therapy, chemotherapy or other systemic antitumor therapy for pancreatic cancer within 14 days prior to Cycle 1 Day 1
* Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (patients with type 2 diabetes controlled with oral glucose lowering agents and the occasional use of insulin are permitted in the study)
* Symptomatic brain metastases (baseline CT scan is not required in asymptomatic patients)
* Active clinically significant infection requiring antibiotics
* Known HIV positive or active hepatitis B or C
* Recent (one year) history or symptoms of cardiovascular disease (NYHA Class 2, 3, or 4), particularly coronary artery disease, arrhythmias or conduction defects with risk of cardiovascular instability, uncontrolled hypertension, clinically significant pericardial effusion, or congestive heart failure
* No other active malignancies (other than treated non-melanoma skin cancer or treated in situ cancer) within the past year
* Major surgery within 3 weeks of the start of study treatment, without complete recovery
* Clinically significant abnormalities in laboratory test results (including complete blood count, chemistry panel including electrolytes, and urinalysis)

  * Hemoglobin \<9 g/dL (may receive transfusion or erythropoietin to maintain)
  * ANC \<1500/μL
  * Platelet count \<100,000/μL
  * Total bilirubin \> 1.5×ULN
  * AST/ALT \> 2.5-fold above ULN (\>5-fold above ULN if liver metastases)
  * Phosphorus \< LLN
  * Potassium \< LLN
  * Serum creatinine \> 2 mg/dL
  * Creatinine clearance \< 60 mL/min (calculated by Cockcroft-Gault formula)
* Females who are pregnant or breast-feeding
* Participation in an investigational drug or device study within 14 days of the first day of dosing on this study
* Concomitant disease or condition that could interfere with the conduct of the study, or that would, in the opinion of the investigator, pose an unacceptable risk to the patient in this study
* Any medical history, concurrent disease or concomitant medication which could reasonably predispose the patient to renal insufficiency while on study treatment
* Contraindication or unwillingness to undergo multiple CT scans
* Unwillingness or inability to comply with the study protocol for any other reason

Where this trial is running

Whittier, California and 2 other locations

• Innovative Clinical Research Institute — Whittier, California, United States (Recruiting)
• Moffitt Cancer Center — Tampa, Florida, United States (Recruiting)
• Gabrail Cancer Center Research — Canton, Ohio, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Edwin Thomas

Conditions Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma; glufosfamide; 5-FU; metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma