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

A Phase 2 Study Assessing Utility of ctDNA in Early Switch of First-line mFOLFIRINOX in Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

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

• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Miami (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy
• Locations: 1 site (Miami, Florida)
• Trial ID: NCT07096362 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

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

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.

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 performed: 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.

Eligibility 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 this trial is running

Miami, Florida

• University of Miami — Miami, Florida, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Gretel Terrero, MD — University of Miami
• Study coordinator: Siudy Vasquez

Conditions Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma; Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma