Could two old drugs boost chemo for pancreatic cancer?

NCT ID NCT05821556

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether adding valproic acid and simvastatin to standard chemotherapy can help people with untreated metastatic pancreatic cancer live longer without their disease getting worse. About 240 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the standard chemo alone or the standard chemo plus the two extra drugs. The study is currently recruiting.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

valproic acid and simvastatin combined with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a more effective first-line treatment for metastatic pancreatic cancer, potentially slowing disease progression.

What could go wrong

This is an early phase 2 trial with a small sample size. The added drugs may not improve outcomes and could increase side effects. Results may not apply to all patients.

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.

Neoplasm Metastasis pancreatic adenocarcinoma pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

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

  • Contact

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

Locations

  • Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Napoli - IRCCS - Fondazione G. Pascale

    RECRUITING

    Naples, Italy, 80131, Italy

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

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

  • Ramon y Cajal Hospital and Health Research Institute (IRYCIS)

    RECRUITING

    Madrid, Madrid, Spain

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

  • University of Verona Hospital Trust

    RECRUITING

    Verona, Verona, 37122, Italy

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

  • Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli - Medical Oncology, Roma, Italia

    RECRUITING

    Roma, Roma, Italy

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

  • Università vita e Salute, IRCCS San Raffaele

    RECRUITING

    Milan, Milano, Italy

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