Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Early Phase 1 Interventional Ages 18 to 99

GLP-1 RA plus standard treatment in first-line metastatic GI cancers

Official title: GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Plus SOC Treatment in First-line, Metastatic Pancreatic, Colorectal, or Hepatocellular Cancer

Run by University of Arizona · NCT07627191 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This early-phase trial tests whether adding a GLP-1 receptor agonist to standard first-line chemotherapy is safe and feasible for people with metastatic pancreatic, colorectal, or liver cancer.

Quick facts

PhaseEarly Phase 1
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 99 Years
SexAll
Enrollment30 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Arizona
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsbevacizumab, Tremelimumab, Durvalumab, chemotherapy, radiation, prednisone
Locations1 site (Tucson, Arizona)
StatusRecruiting
StartedOctober 10, 2026
Main results expectedJune 30, 2028
Study endsJune 30, 2028
Registry record updatedSeptember 18, 2026
Trial IDNCT07627191 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults (18+) with histologically confirmed metastatic pancreatic, colorectal, or hepatocellular carcinoma suitable for first-line standard therapy, with measurable disease and ECOG 0-1.

Probably not a fit

Patients whose tumors do not respond to GLP-1 RA or who experience intolerable toxicity from the combination may not benefit.

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

What this trial studies

This first-in-patient study investigates combining a GLP-1 receptor agonist (semaglutide) with standard chemotherapy as initial systemic treatment for metastatic pancreatic, colorectal, or hepatocellular carcinoma. It focuses on safety, tolerability, and preliminary signs of efficacy, along with correlative analyses to understand biological interactions. Eligible participants have measurable disease, are appropriate for first-line therapy, and meet age and performance status criteria. The trial is sponsored by the University of Arizona and is conducted at the University of Arizona Cancer Center. Enrollment is limited to this site.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could broaden treatment options and potentially improve outcomes for patients with these metastatic GI cancers.

How similar studies have gone: Safety and feasibility of combining GLP-1 RAs with chemotherapy in this setting has not yet been established; prior data are limited to exploratory or non-metastatic contexts, making this trial novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Histological or cytological diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma or colorectal adenocarcinoma. Previous tumor tissue testing is acceptable. Please refer to the "additional HCC cohort criteria" below.
* The subject has disease that is not amenable to curative-intent management (e.g., oligometastatic disease)
* Measurable disease per RECIST v1.1 as determined by the investigator
* Patients must be appropriate candidates for first-line, SOC treatment.

  * SOC treatment as defined by NCCN® guidelines or institutional standard is allowable, however, options restricted to:

    * Colorectal: FOLFOX or FOLIFIRI +/- bevacizumab
    * Pancreatic: mFOLFIRINOX
    * HCC: Tremelimumab/Durvalumab
  * Patients are eligible who received prior perioperative chemotherapy for curative intent treatment and recurred ≥ 6 months since last dose of chemotherapy.
* ≥ 18 years old on day of consent
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1
* Adequate archival frozen or fixed tissue available from primary or metastatic site for genotypic analysis (at least 15 unstained slides and/or tumor block)
* Adequate hematologic and organ function laboratory values as follows:

  * The ANC ≥ 1500/mm3 without colony stimulating factor support;
  * Platelets ≥ 75,000/mm3;
  * Hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL;
  * Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 ´ the ULN. For subjects with known Gilbert's disease, bilirubin ≤ 3.0 mg/dL;
  * Serum albumin ≥ 2.8 g/dl;
  * ALT and AST ≤ 3.0 ´ ULN;
  * Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 ´ ULN or creatinine clearance (CrCl) ≥ 40 mL/min. For creatinine clearance estimation, the Cockcroft and Gault equation should be used:

    * Male: CrCl (mL/min) = (140 - age) × wt (kg) / (serum creatinine × 72);
    * Female: Multiply above result by 0.85;
* The subject is capable of understanding and complying with the protocol requirements and has signed the informed consent document
* Sexually active subjects (men and women) must agree to use medically accepted barrier methods of contraception (eg, male or female condom) during the study and for 4 months after the last dose of study drug(s), even if oral contraceptives are also used. All subjects of reproductive potential must agree to use both a barrier method and a second method of birth control or practice abstinence during the study and for 4 months after the last dose of study drug(s);

Additional Inclusion Criteria for HCC Cohort ONLY:

* Histologically or radiologically confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma (per AASLD/EASL criteria)
* Unresectable or advanced HCC not amenable to curative surgery or locoregional therapy.
* Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B or C.
* Child-Pugh Score Class A; or Child-Pugh Class B7 or B8 at discretion of treating physician
* Patients with HBV infection, characterized by positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and/or hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBcAb) with detectable HBV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) (≥10 IU/mL or above the limit of detection per local or central lab standard), must be treated with antiviral therapy, as per institutional practice to ensure adequate viral suppression (HBV DNA \<2000 IU/mL) before enrolment. Patients must remain on antiviral therapy for the duration of their participation in the EAP and for 6 months after the last dose of EAP medication. Patients who test positive for anti-hepatitis B core (HBc) with undetectable HBV DNA (\<10 IU/mL or under the limit of detection per local or central lab standard) do not require anti-viral therapy before enrolment. These participants will be tested at every cycle to monitor HBV DNA levels and initiate anti-viral therapy if HBV DNA is detected (≥10 IU/mL or above the limit of detection per local or central lab standard). HBV DNA detectable patients must initiate and remain on anti-viral therapy for time they are on the EAP and for 6 months after the last dose of EAP medication.

  o Note: Testing required for subjects with a known history otherwise not required.
* Patients with HCV infection must have confirmed diagnosis of HCV characterized by the presence of detectable HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) or anti-HCV antibody upon enrolment (management of this disease is per local institutional practice).

Exclusion Criteria

* The subject has received cytotoxic chemotherapy (including investigational cytotoxic chemotherapy) or biologic agents (eg, cytokines or antibodies) for metastatic and/or unresectable disease.
* BMI \< 25 kg/m2
* For colorectal cancer only - Microsatellite instability high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) tumors.
* For colorectal cancer only - BRAF V600E mutant tumors.
* A personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2).
* A prior hypersensitivity reaction to semaglutide or any of the excipients in WEGOVY®. Serious hypersensitivity reaction, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, have been reported with WEGOVY®.
* Cachexia
* Subjects on insulin.
* Subjects with a history of diabetic retinopathy
* Known brain metastases or cranial epidural disease unless adequately treated with radiotherapy and/or surgery (including radiosurgery) and stable for at least 4 weeks before the first dose of study treatment. Eligible subjects must be neurologically asymptomatic and without corticosteroid treatment at the time of the start of study treatment
* The subject has uncontrolled, significant intercurrent or recent illness including, but not limited to, the following conditions:

  o Cardiovascular disorders including:
  * For patients being considered for bevacizumab (or bevacizumab biosimilar) only:
* Concurrent uncontrolled hypertension defined as sustained blood pressure (BP) \> 150 mm Hg systolic or \> 100 mm Hg diastolic despite optimal antihypertensive treatment within 7 days of the first dose of study treatment;
* thromboembolic event requiring therapeutic anticoagulation (Note: subjects with a venous filter (eg, vena cava filter) within 6 months before the first dose of study treatment.

  * Any of the following within 6 months before the first dose of study treatment:
* unstable angina pectoris;
* clinically-significant cardiac arrhythmias;
* stroke (including transient ischemic attack (TIA), or other ischemic event);
* myocardial infarction;

  * GI disorders particularly those associated with a high risk of perforation or fistula formation including:

    * Unresolved abdominal fistula, GI perforation, bowel obstruction, intra-abdominal abscess.
    * Uncontrolled nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain.
  * Other clinically significant disorders that would preclude safe study participation
* Major surgery within 8 weeks before the first dose of study treatment. Subjects with clinically relevant ongoing complications from prior surgery are not eligible.
* Females who are known or suspected to be pregnant or lactating. Women of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test result within screening.
* Female patients planning on becoming pregnant while on study.
* Male subjects with a pregnant partner who are unwilling to practice abstinence or use a condom during treatment.
* Male subjects unwilling to abstain from donating sperm during treatment.
* Inability to comply with self-administration of GLP-1 RA subcutaneous injections.
* Subject has known sensitivity to any of the products or components to be administered during dosing.
* Concurrent use of other semaglutide containing products or any other GLP-1 receptor agonist.
* Diagnosis of another malignancy within 2 years before the first dose of study treatment, except for superficial skin cancers, or localized, low grade tumors deemed cured and not treated with systemic therapy.
* Subject likely to not be available to complete all protocol-required study visits or procedures and/or to comply with all required study procedures to the best of the subject and investigator's knowledge.
* History or evidence of any other clinically significant disorder, condition or disease that in the opinion of the investigator, if consulted, would pose a risk to subject safety or interfere with the study evaluation, procedures, or completion.

Additional Exclusion Criteria for HCC Cohort ONLY:

* Child-Pugh Score Class B9; or Child-Pugh Class C
* Radiotherapy treatment to more than 30% of the bone marrow or with a wide field of radiation within 28 days of the first dose of EAP treatments.
* History of allogenic organ transplantation (e.g., liver transplant).
* History of hepatic encephalopathy within the past 12 months or requirement for medications to prevent or control encephalopathy (e.g., no lactulose, rifaximin, etc if used for purposes of hepatic encephalopathy.
* Clinically meaningful ascites, defined as any ascites requiring non-pharmacologic intervention (e.g., paracentesis) to maintain symptomatic control, within 2 months before the first EAP treatment dose. Patients on stable doses of diuretics for ascites for ≥2 months are eligible.
* Patients with main portal vein thrombosis (i.e., thrombosis in the main trunk of the portal vein, with or without blood flow) on baseline imaging.
* Active or previously documented autoimmune or inflammatory disorders (including inflammatory bowel disease \[e.g., colitis or Crohn's disease\], diverticulitis \[except for diverticulosis\], systemic lupus erythematosus, Sarcoidosis syndrome, or Wegener syndrome \[granulomatosis with polyangiitis, Graves' disease, rheumatoid arthritis, hypophysitis, uveitis, etc\]). Patients without active disease in the last 5 years are excluded unless discussed with the Treating Physician and considered appropriate for EAP participation. The following are exceptions to this criterion:

  * Patients with vitiligo or alopecia
  * Patients with hypothyroidism (e.g., following Hashimoto syndrome) stable on hormone replacement
  * Any chronic skin condition that does not require systemic therapy
  * Patients with celiac disease controlled by diet alone
* Patients co-infected with HBV and HCV, or co-infected with HBV and hepatitis D virus (HDV). HBV positive (presence of HbsAg and/or anti-HBcAb with detectable HBV DNA); HCV positive (presence of anti-HCV antibodies); HDV positive (presence of anti-HDV antibodies).

  o Note: Testing required for subjects with a known history otherwise not required.
* Known fibrolamellar HCC, sarcomatoid HCC, or mixed cholangiocarcinoma and HCC.
* History of active primary immunodeficiency.
* Current or prior use of immunosuppressive medication within 14 days before the first dose of EAP treatment. The following are exceptions to this criterion:

  * Intranasal, inhaled, topical steroids, or local steroid injections (e.g., intra-articular injection)
  * Systemic corticosteroids at physiologic doses not to exceed 10 mg/day of prednisone or its equivalent
  * Steroids as pre-medication for hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., CT scan pre-medication)
* Receipt of live attenuated vaccine within 30 days before first dose of treatment. Note: patients, if enrolled, should not receive live vaccine while receiving study treatment, and up to 30 days after the last dose of study treatment.
* Previous randomization or treatment in a previous durvalumab and/or tremelimumab clinical study regardless of treatment arm assignment.
* Patients who have received anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti-CTLA-4 before the first dose of EAP treatment.

Where it's running

  • University of Arizona Cancer Center
    Tucson, Arizona, United States
    Recruiting

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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.