New proton beam combo aims to shrink pancreatic tumors for surgery

NCT ID NCT02598349

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Proton Collaborative Group Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

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 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

Inova Schar Cancer Institute
RECRUITING

Fairfax, Virginia, 22031, United States
McLaren Proton Therapy Center
RECRUITING

Flint, Michigan, 48532, United States
Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center
RECRUITING

Warrenville, Illinois, 60555, United States
University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Jacksonville, Florida, 32206, United States

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