CancerRadar

Pancreatic Cancer

Treatments & research overview

Best-in-class treatments in use today

Pancreatic cancer treatment has evolved significantly over the years, and several drugs and approaches have become standard of care for various stages of the disease. For patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, the combination of chemotherapy and targeted therapy is often used to slow disease progression and improve quality of life. One such combination is FOLFIRINOX (fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin), which is approved for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. This regimen is typically used for patients who are fit enough to tolerate the treatment and have a good performance status. Another important treatment for pancreatic cancer is gemcitabine, a chemotherapy medication that has been used for many years to treat this disease. Gemcitabine is often used as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and can be used in combination with other medications, such as erlotinib (Tarceva), to enhance its effectiveness. For patients with pancreatic cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment approach. Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is an immunotherapy medication that has been approved for patients with pancreatic cancer that has a specific genetic mutation, known as a BRCA mutation. This medication works by helping the body's immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. In addition to these treatments, researchers are also studying the role of precision medicine in pancreatic cancer. Precision medicine involves tailoring treatment to an individual's specific genetic profile, which can help identify the most effective treatment options. For example, patients with pancreatic cancer that has a BRCA mutation may be more likely to benefit from treatments that target this mutation, such as pembrolizumab.

What researchers are actively studying

Based on the recent abstracts and trials listed, researchers are actively studying several new substances and approaches in pancreatic cancer. One area of focus is on the use of combination therapies, which involve pairing multiple medications to enhance their effectiveness. For example, researchers are studying the combination of olaparib (Lynparza) and pembrolizumab in patients with pancreatic cancer that has a BRCA mutation. This combination is being tested in a Phase 2 clinical trial to determine its safety and effectiveness. Another area of focus is on the use of targeted therapies, which involve medications that specifically target the genetic mutations that drive pancreatic cancer. Researchers are studying several targeted therapies, including durvalumab (Imfinzi) and entinostat, which are being tested in combination with other medications to enhance their effectiveness. Researchers are also studying the use of immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer, including the use of checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab and durvalumab. These medications work by helping the body's immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.

Where the evidence stands

The evidence for pancreatic cancer treatments ranges from approved treatments to early research. Approved treatments, such as FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine, have been shown to be effective in clinical trials and are widely used in clinical practice. Late-stage trials, such as Phase 3 clinical trials, are testing new combinations of medications and approaches to determine their safety and effectiveness. Early-stage trials, such as Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials, are testing new substances and approaches to determine their safety and effectiveness in small groups of patients. These trials are often used to identify potential side effects and to determine the optimal dose of a new medication. Preclinical research involves studying new substances and approaches in the laboratory before they are tested in humans. This research can involve studying the effects of a new medication on cancer cells in a dish or in animal models.

What this means for people affected

The research landscape for pancreatic cancer is complex and rapidly evolving. While there are several approved treatments available, researchers are actively studying new substances and approaches to improve treatment options for patients. The use of combination therapies and targeted therapies is becoming increasingly important, and immunotherapy is emerging as a promising treatment approach. While there are many options available, the field is still moving slowly, and more research is needed to identify the most effective treatments for individual patients. However, the progress being made in pancreatic cancer research is promising, and patients should work closely with their healthcare providers to stay informed about the latest treatment options and to discuss the best course of treatment for their individual needs.

AI-generated summary · last updated March 6, 2026

Recent research findings

Phase 1 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Trial for Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

This trial is studying the use of several drugs to treat metastatic pancreatic cancer or solid tumors that cannot be removed by surgery. The trial is currently active but not recruiting new patients. Researchers are exploring the safety and effectiveness of these treatments.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find new ways to treat pancreatic cancer, a disease with limited treatment options.

The trial is in its early stage and not recruiting new patients, so limited data is available.

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Phase 1 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Pancreatic Cancer Trial

This trial is studying a new combination of treatments for metastatic or unresectable pancreatic cancer. It's adding CA-4948 to standard chemotherapy. The trial is currently recruiting participants.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find new ways to treat pancreatic cancer that has spread or cannot be removed with surgery.

The trial is in its early stage and currently recruiting, so limited data is available.

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Phase 1 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Trial Tests New Combo for Pancreatic Tumors

This trial is studying the addition of sunitinib malate to lutetium Lu 177 dotatate for treating pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It's too early to know if this combination will be effective.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may lead to new treatment options for people with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

The trial is in its early stage and has limited data, and it is still recruiting participants.

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Phase 1 TrialMarch 5, 2026

New Drug Tested with Radiotherapy

This trial is studying a new anti-cancer drug, M3814, added to usual radiotherapy for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It aims to explore the safety and effects of this combination treatment.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find new ways to treat locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

This is an early-stage trial and it is still recruiting participants, so limited data is available.

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Phase 1 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Trial

This trial is studying the safety of using two anti-cancer drugs, durvalumab and olaparib, during radiation therapy for locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It aims to understand how these treatments work together.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find new ways to treat pancreatic cancer that is difficult to remove with surgery.

The trial is in its early stage and is still recruiting participants, so limited data is available.

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Phase 2 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Olaparib Trial for Pancreatic Cancer

This trial is studying olaparib in patients with resected pancreatic cancer who have a specific genetic mutation. The trial is currently recruiting participants. Researchers are comparing olaparib to a placebo to see how it works.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find new ways to treat pancreatic cancer in people with certain genetic mutations.

The trial is currently recruiting and is in an early stage, so limited data is available.

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Phase 1 TrialMarch 5, 2026

New Anti-Cancer Drug Combination Trial

This trial is studying a new combination of anti-cancer drugs, Entinostat and ZEN003694, for advanced and refractory solid tumors. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It's too early to know if this treatment will be effective.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may lead to new treatment options for people with advanced and refractory solid tumors.

The trial is in its early stage and recruiting participants, so limited data is available.

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Phase 2 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Pancreatic Cancer Immunotherapy Trial

This trial is studying a combination of treatments for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It's too early to know if this approach will be effective.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it explores new ways to treat unresectable pancreatic cancer, a condition with limited treatment options.

The trial is in an early stage and still recruiting participants, so limited data is available.

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Phase 2 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer

This trial is studying the addition of pembrolizumab to olaparib for patients with pancreatic cancer that has spread and has inherited BRCA mutations. The trial is currently active but not recruiting new participants. Researchers are exploring if this combination is effective for these patients.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may lead to new treatment options for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer and inherited BRCA mutations.

The trial is currently not recruiting new participants and is in an early stage of research.

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Phase 3 TrialMarch 4, 2026

Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Study

This trial is studying the effectiveness and safety of setidegrasib with chemotherapy in people with pancreatic cancer. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It aims to find out how well setidegrasib works with two different chemotherapy regimens.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find new treatment options for people with pancreatic cancer.

The trial is currently recruiting and no results are available yet.

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