Clinical trial Recruiting at 6 sites Phase 2 Interventional Ages 18 to 75

Sequential treatment for locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Official title: Phase II Study to Assess the Interest of a Sequential Treatment With Gemcitabine/Nab-paclitaxel (GEMBRAX) and Then FOLFIRINOX Followed by Stereotactic Magnetic Resonance-guided Adaptive Radiotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Run by Institut du Cancer de Montpellier - Val d'Aurelle · NCT04570943 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new combination of chemotherapy treatments for people with locally advanced pancreatic cancer to see if it helps them live longer and better.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
Enrollment103 (estimated)
SponsorInstitut du Cancer de Montpellier - Val d'Aurelle
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, erlotinib
Locations9 sites (Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône and 8 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJune 16, 2021
Main results expectedJanuary 2028
Study endsJune 2030
Registry record updatedDecember 5, 2025
Trial IDNCT04570943 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 75 with histologically confirmed non-resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma and a good performance status.

Probably not a fit

Patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer or those with resectable tumors 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 study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a sequential chemotherapy regimen, starting with Gabrinox (Gemcitabine and Abraxane) followed by FOLFIRINOX (5FU, Oxaliplatin, and Irinotecan), in patients with locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Additionally, it will assess the feasibility of combining this intensified chemotherapy with MRI-guided stereotactic radiotherapy for patients who do not show disease progression after the initial treatment. The study addresses the urgent need for improved treatment options for this aggressive cancer type, which has a very poor prognosis.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve survival rates and treatment outcomes for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise with similar chemotherapy regimens, but this specific combination and approach is relatively novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient aged from 18 to 75 years at the date of signature of the consent form
2. Histologically or cytologically proven pancreatic adenocarcinoma
3. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤ 1
4. Non-resectable tumour according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) 1.2015 recommendations after external review of imaging data by multidisciplinary experts.
5. Non-metastatic cancer confirmed by thorax-abdomen-pelvis computerized tomography (CT) scan and liver MRI
6. SMART feasibility confirmed by centralized review
7. Uracilemia \< 16 ng/ml
8. Hematological assessment within 14 days before inclusion, defined by:

   * Neutrophils ≥ 2 000/mm3 (2 × 109/L);
   * Platelets ≥ 100 000/mm3 (100 × 109/L);
   * Hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dl
9. Liver function (within 14 days before inclusion) defined by:

   * ASpartate Transaminase (AST) and ALanine Transaminase (ALT) ≤ 2.5 x Upper Limit of Normal (ULN);
   * Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x ULN. Patients with a metallic biliary prosthesis due to biliary obstruction caused by the cancer may be included, if: a CT scan with injection of contrast medium and thin pancreas sections was performed before placing the biliary prosthesis, the bilirubin level after prosthesis fitting decreased to ≤20 mg/L (≤34 μmol/L), and in the absence of cholangitis.
10. Creatininaemia within the reference limits, or calculated clearance ≥50 ml/min for patients with a serum creatinine value above or below the reference values (clearance calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease EPIdemiology collaboration (CKDEPI formula).
11. Serum calcium AND magnesium AND potassium ≥ Lower Limit Normal (LLN and ≤ 1.2 x Upper Limit Normal (ULN)
12. Cancer Antigen (CA 19.9) \<500 IU/mL (without cholestasis). Patients with CA 19.9 between 500 IU/mL and 1000 IU/mL can be included if the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan and peritoneal MRI (optional) do not detect any distant fixation, indicative of metastasis. Patients with CA 19.9 ≥ 1000 IU/mL cannot be included.
13. Sexually active patients must use a contraceptive method considered adequate and suitable by the investigator during the entire period of administration of the study treatment and up to 6 months after the treatment end, for female and male patients.
14. Signature of the consent form before any study-specific procedure.
15. Covered by the French health insurance.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any previous treatment for pancreatic cancer (e.g. chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, targeted therapy, experimental therapy)
2. Gilbert's syndrome or homozygous Uridine DiPhosphate Glucuronosyl Transferase 1 A1 (UGT1A1 \* 28)
3. Other concomitant cancer or history of cancer, except for treated in situ cancer of the cervix , basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma, superficial bladder tumour (Ta, Tis, and T1), or good-prognosis tumour cured without chemotherapy and without signs of disease in the 3 years before inclusion
4. Prior radiotherapy likely to overlap with the planned study radiotherapy area (e.g. previous abdominal irradiation).
5. Patients with high cardiovascular risk, including, but not limited to, coronary stent or myocardial infarction in the past 6 months.
6. Peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 2
7. ECG with QTcorrected (QTc) interval longer than 450 ms for men and longer than 470 ms for women
8. Contraindication to MRI and MRI-guided radiotherapy
9. History of chronic inflammatory disease of the colon or rectum
10. Any other concomitant and not controlled serious illness or disturbance that may interfere with the patient's participation in the study and safety during the study (e.g. severe liver, kidney, lung, metabolic, or psychiatric disorder)
11. Intolerance or allergy to one of the study drugs (gemcitabine, Nab-paclitaxel, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, 5-FU) or to one of their excipients (e.g. fructose) listed in the Contraindications or Warnings sections and Special precautions of the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) or prescription information
12. Legal incapacity (patient under guardianship or wardship)
13. Pregnant or breastfeeding woman. Fertile women must have a negative pregnancy test (serum β-hCG) performed 72 hours before inclusion
14. Patient using vitamin K antagonists (Coumadin…) (possible modification of the treatment before inclusion)
15. Active and uncontrolled bacterial or fungal infection that requires systemic treatment.
16. Know active HIV infection
17. History of peripheral arterial disease (e.g. lameness, Buerger's disease).
18. Patient who received a attenuated live vaccine in the 10 days before inclusion
19. Patient with history of pulmonary fibrosis or interstitial pneumonia.
20. Inability to attend the follow-up visits due to geographic, social or mental reasons.
21. Participation in another clinical study with a research product during the last 30 days before inclusion.

Where it's running

  • Institut Paoli Calmettes
    Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France
    Recruiting
  • CHU Carémeau
    Nîmes, Gard, France
    Recruiting
  • CHU Saint-Eloi
    Montpellier, Herault, France
    Recruiting
  • Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier
    Montpellier, Hérault, France
    Recruiting
  • Centre Georges-François Leclerc
    Dijon, France
    Recruiting
  • Hôpital Pitié Salpétriêre
    Paris, France
    Recruiting
Show 3 more locations
  • Hôpital Beaujon
    Clichy, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Centre Eugène Marquis
    Rennes, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Hopital Paul Brousse
    Villejuif, France
    Not yet 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.