LAP-PIE Feasibility Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Treatment of unresectable Locally Advanced Pancreas (LAP) cancer with Percutaneous Irreversible Electroporation (PIE) following initial systemic chemotherapy : a feasibility randomised controlled trial (The LAP-PIE) trial.
IRAS ID
272784
Contact name
Brian Davidson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Free NHS Trust
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN14986389
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, months, days
Research summary
Surgery (pancreatic resection) is the only treatment with the potential to cure pancreatic cancer. Only 10 to 20 out of every 100 people are eligible for surgery. One of the major reasons is that the cancer has spread into the
surrounding structures (locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC)). Currently, the recommended treatment for LAPC is chemotherapy (drugs which destroy cancer). Those in whom the chemotherapy prevents growth or spread of the cancer have an improved survival. They are re-assessed for surgery but the cancer usually
remains unresectable. Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a new method of treating cancer. The IRE treatment destroys cancer cells by electricity. Under general anaesthetic the IRE probes are inserted into the pancreas
cancer prior to an electrical charge being passed through the cancer. Early studies in pancreas cancer suggest that IRE treatment may increase how long people with LAPC live. However major complications may result from this treatment (eg acute pancreas inflammation, acute pancreatitis) resulting in uncertainty on its use.REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0077
Date of REC Opinion
2 Feb 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion