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Adjuvant Biological Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer
Untitled Document
Name of the Trial
Phase II Randomized Study of Adjuvant Therapy Comprising Bevacizumab Versus
Cetuximab in Combination With Gemcitabine Hydrochloride, Capecitabine, and Radiotherapy
in Patients With Completely Resected Carcinoma of the Pancreas (ECOG-E2204).
See the protocol summary.
Principal Investigators
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Dr. Jordan Berlin
Principal Investigator |
Dr. Jordan Berlin, ECOG; Dr. Arthur
William Blackstock, CALGB; Dr. Andrew Lowy,
SWOG; and Dr. Robert McWilliams, NCCTG.
Why This Trial Is Important
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly types of cancer, with fewer than
four percent of patients surviving five years or longer. The best chance for
long-term survival is complete surgical removal (resection) of the tumor. However,
even resectable patients face a high likelihood of recurrence. To
help improve
the outcome for patients with resectable pancreatic cancer, doctors currently
treat these patients with post-operative (adjuvant) chemotherapy and radiation
therapy.
In this trial, patients with completely resected pancreatic cancer will receive
adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy plus additional treatment with either
bevacizumab or cetuximab.
Bevacizumab and cetuximab are biological agents that
target different proteins that are
thought to be important for tumor growth
and spread. Bevacizumab blocks the activity of vascular endothelial growth factor
(VEGF), a protein used by some tumors to form new blood vessels. Cetuximab blocks
the activity of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a protein that promotes
cell growth and proliferation.
"Our primary goal with this trial is to assess the safety of these biologic
therapies in combination with standard adjuvant treatment," said Dr. Berlin.
"Additionally, we hope to see some measures of effectiveness that we can
build on in future studies."
Contact Information
This clinical trial is no longer accepting new patients. To locate other clinical trials for pancreatic cancer,
search the NCI's database of clinical trials or call the NCI's Cancer Information
Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) for more information. The toll-free call is confidential.
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