Promising cocktail may shrink pancreatic tumors before surgery

NCT ID NCT01821729

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This Phase II trial tested a combination of chemotherapy drugs (FOLFIRINOX) plus the blood pressure drug losartan, followed by proton radiation, in 50 people with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The goal was to see if this approach could shrink tumors enough to allow complete surgical removal. The study focused on safety and how many patients achieved a clean surgical margin.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: FOLFIRINOX (combination of 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, irinotecan), losartan, capecitabine, and proton beam radiation
What this could lead to: If successful, this combination could improve the chance of surgically removing pancreatic tumors with clear margins, potentially extending survival.
What could go wrong: This is a small Phase II study with only 50 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The combination has significant side effects and may not improve outcomes over standard therapy.

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.

malignant pancreatic neoplasm pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma pancreatic neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

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

PANCREATIC CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

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