Could two old drugs boost chemo for pancreatic cancer?

NCT ID NCT05821556

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: National Cancer Institute, Naples Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

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

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE PANCREAS are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

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.

ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE PANCREAS

Contacts and locations

Locations

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

Naples, Italy, 80131, Italy
Ramon y Cajal Hospital and Health Research Institute (IRYCIS)
RECRUITING

Madrid, Madrid, Spain
University of Verona Hospital Trust
RECRUITING

Verona, Verona, 37122, Italy
Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli - Medical Oncology, Roma, Italia
RECRUITING

Roma, Roma, Italy
Università vita e Salute, IRCCS San Raffaele
RECRUITING

Milan, Milano, Italy

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.