Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 2 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Using ctDNA to guide earlier switching from first-line mFOLFIRINOX in metastatic pancreatic cancer

Official title: A Phase 2 Study Assessing Utility of ctDNA in Early Switch of First-line Chemotherapy in Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Run by University of Miami · NCT07096362 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This will test whether a blood test (ctDNA) can tell if people with metastatic pancreatic cancer are not responding to first-line mFOLFIRINOX soon enough to switch therapies earlier than standard imaging.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment50 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Miami
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Miami, Florida)
StatusRecruiting
StartedSeptember 9, 2025
Main results expectedSeptember 30, 2030
Study endsSeptember 30, 2030
Registry record updatedSeptember 21, 2026
Trial IDNCT07096362 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults with treatment‑naïve metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma who have at least one measurable lesion and detectable ctDNA at baseline.

Probably not a fit

Patients without detectable ctDNA at baseline, those with pure neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors, or those unable to attend the Miami site are unlikely to benefit from this approach.

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

What this trial studies

This phase 2 interventional study enrolls treatment‑naïve adults with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who have detectable circulating tumor DNA at baseline. Participants receive standard first‑line mFOLFIRINOX and have serial ctDNA measured with the Northstar Response assay to monitor tumor response before routine imaging. The protocol examines whether ctDNA changes can identify desired tumor shrinkage or lack of shrinkage earlier than the usual 8‑week imaging interval and whether that information can prompt earlier treatment changes. Outcomes include how well ctDNA dynamics match imaging and clinical outcomes after any ctDNA‑guided treatment switches.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, ctDNA monitoring could let clinicians stop ineffective chemotherapy sooner and switch patients to alternative treatments earlier, potentially reducing toxicity and improving outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: ctDNA has shown promise for early response monitoring in other cancers, but ctDNA‑guided early switching in metastatic pancreatic cancer is largely untested and remains exploratory.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Histologically confirmed, metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Patients with adenosquamous carcinoma and mixed adenocarcinoma/neuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) of the pancreas are eligible, but pure neuroendocrine neoplasms are excluded.
2. Treatment-naïve patients diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
3. Must have a detectable circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) at cycle 1 day 1.
4. Patients must have a detectable circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid (ctDNA) quantity on Northstar Response assay at baseline.
5. At least one tumor measurable by Computed Tomography (CT) scan or Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET/CT) scan. Measurable disease is defined as at least one lesion that can be accurately measured in at least one dimension (longest diameter to be recorded for non-nodal lesions and short axis for nodal lesions) as \>20 mm with conventional techniques or \>10 mm with spiral CT scan.
6. Adult male and female participants (≥ 18 years of age).
7. Male or non-pregnant and non-lactating female. Men and women with intact reproductive potential must agree to use contraception.
8. Adequate biological parameters as demonstrated by the following blood counts at Screening (obtained ≤ 21 days prior to enrollment) and at Baseline-Day 0:

   * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1.0 × 109 cells/L.
   * Platelet count ≥ 100,000 cells/mm3 (100 × 109 cells/L). Supportive platelet transfusions are acceptable.
   * Hemoglobin (Hgb) ≥ 9 g/dL. Supportive packed red blood cell transfusions are acceptable.
9. Adequate blood chemistry levels at Screening (obtained ≤ 21 days prior to enrollment) and at Baseline-Day 0:

   * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) - serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT); alanine transaminase (ALT) - serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) ≤ 2.5 × upper limit of normal (ULN) range, unless liver metastases are present, then ≤ 5 × ULN is allowed.
   * Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 × Upper Limit of Normal.
   * Estimated creatinine clearance of \> 60 mL/min (per Cockcroft-Gault formula).
   * Albumin ≥ 3.0 g/dL.
10. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status from 0 to ≤ 1.
11. Must be a modified Folfirinox chemotherapy candidate.
12. For participants not qualified or able to give legal consent, consent must be obtained from their legally authorized representative (LAR).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with pure neuroendocrine neoplasms of the pancreas.
2. Brain metastases.
3. Uncontrolled ascites.
4. Increase of ECOG to \> 1 between screening and enrollment.
5. Active, uncontrolled bacterial, viral, or fungal infection(s) requiring systemic therapy.
6. History of untreated or uncontrolled HIV and/or Hepatitis B or C infection.
7. Clinically significant, uncontrolled heart disease and/or cardiac repolarization abnormality, including any of the following:

   * History of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, symptomatic pericarditis, or coronary artery bypass graft within six months prior to study entry
   * Documented cardiomyopathy
8. Grade 2 or greater sensory peripheral neuropathy.
9. History of chronic diarrhea.
10. Pregnant or nursing.
11. Concomitant serious medical or psychiatric illness that, in the opinion of the investigator, could compromise the patient's safety or integrity of the study data.
12. Concurrently enrolled in any other interventional clinical protocol or investigational trial involving administration of antineoplastic compounds for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer.
13. Patient is unwilling or unable to comply with study procedures.
14. Patients with impaired decision-making capacity.
15. No other medical condition or reason that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude study participation.

Where it's running

  • University of Miami
    Miami, Florida, United States
    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.