Surgery for pancreatic cancer with liver metastases after chemotherapy

Pancreatic Cancer and Synchronous Liver Metastases Resection Following Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX: a Prospective, Pilot Study

Not applicable Interventional Laval University · NCT06349278

This study is testing whether surgery after chemotherapy can help people with pancreatic cancer that has spread to the liver live longer and have better outcomes.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment15 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorLaval University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Québec, Quebec)
Trial IDNCT06349278 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot study evaluates patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and up to three liver metastases who will undergo surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX. Patients will receive a total of 12 cycles of chemotherapy, with imaging assessments to monitor tumor response before surgery. The study aims to determine the feasibility and outcomes of surgical resection in this patient population. The approach includes thorough preoperative evaluations using various imaging techniques to ensure optimal patient selection for surgery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who have a resectable primary tumor and three or fewer liver metastases.

Not a fit: Patients with locally advanced disease, more than three liver metastases, or those requiring major liver resections may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve surgical outcomes and survival rates for patients with pancreatic cancer and liver metastases.

How similar studies have performed: While similar approaches have been explored, this specific combination of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by resection in this context is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Confirmed diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
* Resectable primary tumor based on triphasic CT-scan.
* ≤ 3 liver metastases.
* Liver resections can be performed by local excision or non-anatomical, partial hepatectomy. Patients with complete radiologic response after neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX (FFX), therefore not requiring liver resection, will be included.
* No evidence of extrahepatic metastases.
* Patient fit for pancreatic resection (ECOG 0 or 1).
* Stable or partial response on imaging after neoadjuvant FFX.
* No new metastasis after neoadjuvant FFX
* Blood tumor markers ≥ 80% decreased or within normal values after neoadjuvant FFX.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Impossibility to obtain tissue diagnosis preoperatively confirming PDAC.
* Locally advanced disease on triphasic CT-scan.
* \> 3 liver metastases.
* Major hepatectomy required for liver metastases (right hepatectomy, left hepatectomy, central hepatectomy, extended right or left hepatectomy).
* Suspicion or confirmation of extrahepatic metastases.
* Patient unfit for pancreatic resection (ECOG 2 or more).
* Contraindication to receive FFX.

Where this trial is running

Québec, Quebec

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Pancreas AdenocarcinomaPancreas MetastasesPancreas CancerPDACLiver metastasesPancreatic cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.