Could an arthritis drug help fight pancreatic cancer?

NCT ID NCT04926467

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Baylor Research Institute Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This phase 2 trial is testing whether adding the drug anakinra (Kineret) to standard chemotherapy can improve outcomes for people with pancreatic cancer that can be surgically removed or is locally advanced. Anakinra is an anti-inflammatory drug typically used for rheumatoid arthritis. The study will enroll 24 adults and measure how well the treatment normalizes a key tumor marker (CA19-9) and improves survival. Participants will receive the drug combination before and after surgery.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Anakinra (Kineret) plus chemotherapy (nab-paclitaxel, gemcitabine, cisplatin)
What this could lead to: If successful, this combination could improve survival rates and help more patients become eligible for surgery, potentially extending life for those with pancreatic cancer.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 24 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Anakinra can cause injection site reactions and increase infection risk.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

pancreatic adenocarcinoma pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

PANCREATIC ADENOCARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Baylor University Medical Center, Charles A Sammons Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Dallas, Texas, 75246, United States

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