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Erlotinib, Gemcitabine and Nab-Paclitaxel for the Treatment of Metastatic Basal-Like Pancreatic Cancer, PANGEA Trial

Trial Status: active

This phase I/II trial tests the side effects and best dose of erlotinib when given together with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel, and to see how well it works in treating patients with basal-like pancreatic cancer that has spread from where it first started to other places in the body (metastatic). Erlotinib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) that signals tumor cells to multiply. This helps slow or stop the spread of tumor cells. Gemcitabine is a chemotherapy drug that blocks the cells from making deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and may kill tumor cells. Paclitaxel is in a class of medications called antimicrotubule agents. It stops tumor cells from growing and dividing and may kill them. Nab-paclitaxel is an albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation of paclitaxel which may have fewer side effects and work better than other forms of paclitaxel. Giving erlotinib, gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel may work better than standard chemotherapy in treating patients with metastatic basal-like pancreatic cancer.