MM398 first line in metastatic pancreatic cancer

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    A Randomised, Open-label Phase 2 Study of Nanoliposomal Irinotecan (nal-IRI) containing Regimens versus nab-Paclitaxel plus Gemcitabine in Patients with Previously Untreated, Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

  • IRAS ID

    196157

  • Contact name

    Sheetal Dyall

  • Contact email

    sheetal.dyall@parexel.com

  • Sponsor organisation

    Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

  • Eudract number

    2015-003086-28

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    NCT02551991

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    IND number, 102799

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 4 months, 18 days

  • Research summary

    Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death. The location of the tumour generally results in few early symptoms, so it is often diagnosed at a late stage. Currently there are no effective screening tools, and there is a limited understanding of risk factors, so that means that at the time of diagnosis, patients usually present with advanced or metastatic disease (that is cancer that has spread to other parts of the body).

    Pancreatic cancer therapies for advanced or metastatic disease are limited, and usually prolong survival for less than a year. The most common two combination chemotherapy regimens currently used if you've never been treated for metastatic pancreatic cancer are:-
    5-fluorouricil (5-FU)/leucovorin (LV) + irinotecan + oxaliplatin
    nab-paclitaxel + gemcitabine. Thus, new treatment options are needed.

    Irinotecan is a chemotherapy that works by preventing uncontrolled cell growth, however, can cause severe side effects. Nal-IRI (MM-398) is a novel formulation of irinotecan designed to improve its anticancer effects by better delivery to the tumours, without worsening of its side effects.

    The study will be conducted in 2 parts. Part 1 will look at the safety of naI-IRI when given together with 5FU/LV and oxaliplatin. The reason for Part 1 is to identify the safest and highest dose of this combination treatment to be used in Part 2 of the study.

    Part 2 is to assess how effective and safe naI-IRI is at treating metastatic pancreatic cancer that has not been treated previously. This will be done by comparing the effects of the naI-IRI together with 5FU/LV with or without oxaliplatin, against the effects of nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of three treatment arms as below, and will have an equal chance (1 in 3) of being placed in any one of these treatment arms:-
    Arm 1: nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV + oxaliplatin
    Arm 2: nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV
    Arm 3: nab-paclitaxel + gemcitabine.

    This is an open-label study, which means that participants will know the treatment they are receiving.

    A total of 156 to 168 participants will be enrolled globally, with 150 of those participants being recruited for Part 2. In the UK, participants will take part in Part 2.

  • REC name

    North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    16/NE/0084

  • Date of REC Opinion

    3 Jun 2016

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion