New proton beam combo aims to shrink pancreatic tumors for surgery

NCT ID NCT02598349

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether a higher dose of proton radiation combined with the oral chemotherapy drug capecitabine can help people with unresectable pancreatic cancer live longer and possibly become candidates for surgery. The study enrolls 60 patients whose tumors cannot be removed or who are not healthy enough for surgery. The goal is to see if this intense local treatment improves survival and surgical rates compared to historical outcomes.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Proton radiation and capecitabine (oral chemotherapy)

What this could lead to

If successful, this approach could help more people with pancreatic cancer become eligible for surgery and extend survival.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase trial with only 60 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The treatment involves intense radiation and chemotherapy, which can cause side effects.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

malignant pancreatic neoplasm pancreatic adenocarcinoma pancreatic neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Inova Schar Cancer Institute

    RECRUITING

    Fairfax, Virginia, 22031, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • McLaren Proton Therapy Center

    RECRUITING

    Flint, Michigan, 48532, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center

    RECRUITING

    Warrenville, Illinois, 60555, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute

    ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

    Jacksonville, Florida, 32206, United States