Using Patient-Derived Tumor Organoids to Choose a Drug for Pancreatic Cancer
Official title: ADOPT: Adaptive Organoid-Based Precision Therapy Study in Pancreatic Cancer - A Prospective Single-Arm Phase II Trial
Run by University Health Network, Toronto · NCT06813079 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether selecting a drug based on a patient’s tumor organoids helps people with advanced pancreatic cancer respond to treatment.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 25 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Health Network, Toronto Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Toronto, Ontario) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 7, 2025 |
| Main results expected | February 17, 2028 |
| Study ends | February 17, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | June 23, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06813079 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (18+) with advanced inoperable pancreatic ductal carcinoma who have had prior chemotherapy and meet the specified response/progression criteria.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients whose organoid drug predictions do not translate into a clinical response or who do not receive a beneficial drug may not experience benefit.
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 trial uses patient-derived organoids to guide drug selection for advanced pancreatic ductal carcinoma. Researchers will test drugs on the organoids and choose the drug that shows the strongest effect, then offer that drug to the participant. The study includes two cohorts based on prior treatment response and allows multiple prior therapies. Eligible participants are adults with inoperable pancreatic cancer who have either stable/partial response to FOLFIRINOX or disease progression after standard chemotherapies. The trial is conducted at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, led by University Health Network.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may receive a drug selected to work best for their tumor based on organoid testing, potentially improving response.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies using organoid-guided therapy have shown promising signals in some cancers, but this approach remains investigational for pancreatic cancer.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Age 18 years or over
2. Ability to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent form in accordance with applicable local and regulatory requirements. Each patient must sign a consent form prior to screening to document their willingness to participate.
3. Advanced inoperable malignant epithelial pancreatic ductal carcinomas (i.e. primary diagnosis of ductal adenocarcinoma or acinar cell adenocarcinoma, inclusive of all subtypes)
4. Treatment history meeting one of either:
1. Stable disease or partial response to FOLFIRINOX (leucovorin calcium/folinic acid, fluorouracil, irinotecan hydrochloride, and oxaliplatin) after at least eight cycles of treatment (Cohort B)
2. Progression of disease after receiving standard of care chemotherapies (Cohort A).
i. There is no maximum number of prior lines
ii. Patients with recurrence within six months of adjuvant-intent chemotherapy will be eligible
5. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2.
6. Life Expectancy of greater than 12 weeks
7. Patients must have acceptable organ function
8. Patients must have baseline hepatitis B screening. If they have a positive surface antigen the case will discussed with the hepatologist to determine if therapy is indicated. This does not exclude them from study.
9. Patients must agree to use effective contraceptive methods for the period required by the study.
10. Patients must have measurable disease
11. Patient-derived organoid is sensitive to a drug listed for this study, defined by
1. Consensus agreement in molecular tumor boards, considering the totality of the genomic and organoid data, and the safety profile of the drug, and the clinical situation
2. Sensitivity to a drug chosen for the study, based on
i. IC50 \< Cmax (maximum plasma concentration) ii. Area under the curve (AUC) \< 30th percentile of cohort iii. Individual assay fulfills quality control metrics c. Matched clinical scenario (maintenance versus treatment) as outlined in this protocol.
12. Able to swallow and tolerate oral medication (as applicable)
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Patients with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment has the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen.
2. Patient received last dose of chemotherapy within 21 days prior to Cycle 1 Day 1.
3. Patients with ongoing toxicity ≥ Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade 2, other than peripheral neuropathy, related to prior anti-tumour treatment.
4. Patients with ongoing peripheral neuropathy of ≥ CTCAE grade 3 will be excluded.
5. Patients concurrently receiving any other anti-cancer therapy (cytotoxic, biologic, radiation, or hormonal other than for replacement) except for medications that are prescribed for supportive care but may potentially have an anti-cancer effect (e.g. megestrol acetate, bisphosphonates). These medications must have been started ≥ one month prior to enrolment in this study.
6. Patients with a history of a severe allergic reaction attributed to compounds of similar or biologic composition to the PDO matched drug may be excluded if assessed by the investigator and determined to be unsafe to proceed.
7. Patients may be on warfarin, low molecular weight heparin or direct factor Xa inhibitors, unless such therapies are prohibited by drug-specific ineligibility criteria.
8. Patients with known active progressive brain metastases. Patients with previously treated brain metastases are eligible, provided that the patient has not experienced a seizure or had a clinically significant change in neurological status within one month prior to screening. All patients with previously treated brain metastases must be stable (clinically and radiologically) for at least one month after completion of treatment and either off steroid treatment or only taking physiological doses of steroids prior to the screening step.
9. Patients with clinically significant pre-existing cardiac conditions, including uncontrolled or symptomatic angina, uncontrolled atrial or ventricular arrhythmias, or symptomatic congestive heart failure.
10. Patients with known left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \< 40 % as determined by a multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan or echocardiogram.
11. Patients with stroke (including TIA) or acute myocardial infarction within three months prior to the screening step.
12. Patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding within one month prior to the screening step.
13. Patients with any other clinically significant medical condition which, in the opinion of the treating physician, makes it undesirable for the patient to participate in the study or which could jeopardize compliance with study requirements including, but not limited to ongoing or active infection, significant uncontrolled hypertension, or severe psychiatric illness/social situations.
14. Lactating and nursing women.
15. Patients who do not meet drug-specific eligibility requirements for the drug selected by the treating physician.
Where it's running
-
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Robert C. Grant, MD — Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
- Study coordinator: Robert C. Grant, MD
- Email: robert.grant@uhn.ca
- Phone: 416-946-4501
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.