Ongoing Studies Could Modify the Script in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

Clinical trials should not be viewed as a last resort for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, explained Allyson Ocean, MD, who added that even frontline standards of care should be considered after exhausting all available study options. “There are plenty of clinical trials available for your patients. Clinical trials should always be the first consideration for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer because that’s the only way we’re going to really move the bar in this disease,” said Ocean. To that end, Ocean cited the phase 3 NAPOLI-3 trial (NCT04083235), in which patients with previously untreated metastatic pancreatic cancer will be randomized to liposomal irinotecan (Onivyde; nal-IRI) plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin and oxaliplatin (NALIRIFOX) versus the combination of gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane).