RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Systemic Therapy With a Loco-regional Treatment in Patients With Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

This study explores a new way to treat locally advanced pancreatic cancer, which is when the cancer has grown nearby but hasn't spread elsewhere. Currently, many patients receive chemotherapy alone. This study investigates adding a treatment called Irreversible Electroporation (IRE), or NanoKnife, to standard chemotherapy. IRE is a special technique that uses electrical pulses to destroy cancer cells without harming nearby healthy tissues like blood vessels or organs. The main goal is to see if this combination therapy can help patients live longer and prevent the cancer from getting worse. Researchers will compare outcomes for patients receiving both treatments versus those who often only get chemotherapy to understand if this new approach is more effective and safe.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Saskatchewan

Enrolment target

Start

01 May 2025

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2026

Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Irreversible Electroporation

What is this study about?

Pancreatic cancer can be a very challenging disease, and for many people, especially those whose cancer has grown nearby but hasn't spread to other parts of the body (we call this 'locally advanced'), finding the best treatment is a major focus. While surgery can sometimes cure pancreatic cancer, it's not an option for everyone. Often, chemotherapy alone is used, but doctors are always looking for better ways to manage the disease and help patients live longer and with a better quality of life.

This study is looking at a new treatment called Irreversible Electroporation (IRE), also known by the brand name NanoKnife. Unlike other treatments that use heat or extreme cold to destroy cancer cells, IRE uses gentle electrical pulses. This is important because it means IRE can target cancer cells without damaging vital structures like blood vessels, or nearby organs. The hope is that by combining this targeted IRE treatment with standard chemotherapy, we can get better control over the cancer in the local area, which could lead to better overall results for patients.

The main aim of this study is to see how well patients do when they receive both chemotherapy and IRE, compared to what is usually seen with chemotherapy alone. The researchers want to find out how long patients live without the cancer growing, and how long they live overall. They also want to make sure the treatment is safe. The insights from this study will be used to help design bigger studies in the future, with the ultimate goal of improving care for people with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Key takeaways

This study explores a new treatment for locally advanced pancreatic cancer.
It combines standard chemotherapy with Irreversible Electroporation (NanoKnife).
IRE uses electrical pulses to destroy cancer cells without harming nearby tissues.
The main goal is to see if this combination can improve cancer control and survival.
It's an important step towards better treatments for this type of cancer.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you would need to be an adult who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that is 'locally advanced'. This means the cancer has grown into nearby tissues but has not spread to other, more distant parts of your body, such as your lungs or liver.

Your doctor would also need to confirm that you are healthy enough to receive a type of combination chemotherapy treatment. This decision is usually made after reviewing your overall health and other medical conditions.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you are pregnant, or if tests show your pancreatic cancer has already spread to other parts of your body. Also, if you have another active cancer, not including some very common, easily treated skin cancers or very early-stage cancers, you would likely not be able to participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you an adult?
Has your pancreatic cancer been diagnosed as 'locally advanced' (not spread far)?
Are you able to receive combination chemotherapy?
Are you not pregnant?
Do you not have cancer that has spread to distant parts of your body (metastatic)?
Do you not have another active cancer (except for certain common skin cancers)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you would first receive a course of chemotherapy for about 12 weeks. After this, your doctors would do repeat scans and tests to see how the cancer has responded. If the cancer hasn't progressed and meets certain size requirements, you would then have the Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) procedure. After the IRE treatment, you would likely receive another 12 weeks of chemotherapy. Throughout the study, your quality of life will be checked every three months until the cancer progresses. The total duration of your participation would depend on how your cancer responds to treatment.

Potential risks and benefits

Potential benefits of taking part include access to a new treatment approach (IRE in combination with chemotherapy) that may offer better control of locally advanced pancreatic cancer and potentially longer survival than chemotherapy alone. However, like all medical treatments, there are potential risks associated with both chemotherapy and the IRE procedure, which your medical team will discuss in detail. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without affecting your standard medical care.

Locations (2)

Allan Blair Cancer Center
Verified postcode
Regina, Canada· Recruiting
Saskatoon Cancer Center
Verified postcode
Saskatoon, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'locally advanced pancreatic cancer'?

It means the cancer has grown into nearby areas but has not spread to distant parts of your body.

What is Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) or NanoKnife?

It's a treatment that uses electrical pulses to destroy cancer cells without harming nearby important structures like blood vessels.

Will I only get IRE treatment in this study?

No, you will receive IRE in combination with chemotherapy. Most patients will also receive chemotherapy before and after the IRE procedure.

What kind of tests will I have during the study?

You will have regular scans to check the cancer and assessments to monitor your quality of life.

Is this treatment guaranteed to work?

No, this is a research study to investigate if this new combination treatment is more effective. There are no guarantees it will work for everyone.

How to find out more

Shahid Ahmed, MD, PhD

shahid.ahmed@saskcancer.ca 3066122617 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.