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Featured Clinical Trials

Cancer Studies Highlighted in the NCI Cancer Bulletin
  • Posted: 08/16/2005

Combination Therapy for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Name of the Trial

Phase III Randomized Study of Gemcitabine With Versus Without Bevacizumab in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas (CALGB-80303). See the protocol summary 1.

Principal Investigator

Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler
Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler
Principal Investigator

Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler, Cancer and Leukemia Group B.

Why This Trial Is Important

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Patients with pancreatic cancer are usually diagnosed with advanced disease because this type of cancer often spreads before symptoms develop. Current treatments may extend survival slightly or relieve symptoms in some patients, but they rarely produce a cure.

In this study, researchers are adding a biological agent called bevacizumab (Avastin®) to standard chemotherapy with the drug gemcitabine to see if the combination can help improve the survival of pancreatic cancer patients whose disease has spread to nearby lymph nodes (locally advanced) or to other sites in the body (metastatic). Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks the action of a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF stimulates the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), which tumors need to survive, and it may also act as a growth factor for pancreatic cancer cells, stimulating them to multiply. Researchers hope they can cause pancreatic tumors to shrink or die by blocking VEGF activity.

"In a phase II study we conducted with this combination, we observed a time to progression and survival that was far better than we expected," said Dr Kindler. "This randomized trial seeks to confirm our observations, and we hope that the laboratory studies we are also performing will teach us a great deal about the biology of pancreatic cancer."

Contact Information

This clinical trial is no longer accepting new patients. To find other clinical trials for pancreatic cancer, search the NCI's database of clinical trials 2 or call the NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). The call is toll free and completely confidential.

Related Pages



Glossary Terms

bevacizumab (beh-vuh-SIH-zoo-mab)
A drug used to treat several types of cancer, including certain types of colorectal, lung, breast, and kidney cancers and glioblastoma. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Bevacizumab binds to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and may prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It is a type of antiangiogenesis agent and a type of monoclonal antibody. Also called Avastin.
gemcitabine (jem-SY-tuh-been)
The active ingredient in a drug that is used to treat pancreatic cancer that is advanced or has spread. It is also used with other drugs to treat breast cancer that has spread, advanced ovarian cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer that is advanced or has spread. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Gemcitabine blocks the cell from making DNA and may kill cancer cells. It is a type of antimetabolite
growth factor (grothe FAK-ter)
A substance made by the body that functions to regulate cell division and cell survival. Some growth factors are also produced in the laboratory and used in biological therapy.
monoclonal antibody (MAH-noh-KLOH-nul AN-tee-BAH-dee)
A type of protein made in the laboratory that can bind to substances in the body, including tumor cells. There are many kinds of monoclonal antibodies. Each monoclonal antibody is made to find one substance. Monoclonal antibodies are being used to treat some types of cancer and are being studied in the treatment of other types. They can be used alone or to carry drugs, toxins, or radioactive materials directly to a tumor.
phase II trial (fayz … TRY-ul)
A study to test whether a new treatment has an anticancer effect (for example, whether it shrinks a tumor or improves blood test results) and whether it works against a certain type of cancer.

Table of Links

1http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/CALGB-80303
2http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search
3http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/pancreatic