Heartburn drug tested against pancreatic cancer in early trial
NCT ID NCT04930991
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-phase study tested whether high doses of omeprazole, a common heartburn medication, could safely change certain markers in pancreatic tumors. The trial planned to enroll 25 patients with exocrine pancreatic cancer who were scheduled for surgery. Participants took omeprazole for 12–14 days before their operation, and researchers looked at safety and changes in tumor biomarkers. The study was terminated, so results are limited.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- omeprazole (a common heartburn drug, given at high doses)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a way to make pancreatic cancer cells more vulnerable to treatment by altering the tumor environment.
- What could go wrong
- This was a very early (phase 0) study with only 25 patients, and it was terminated early, so results are limited. High-dose omeprazole may cause side effects or not affect the tumor at all.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
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25 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 2021
- Finished
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Apr 2026
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 100 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Newly diagnosed exocrine pancreatic cancer with either pathology, histology, or radiology imaging documented as adenocarcinoma * Patient is a candidate for surgical resection of pancreatic cancer * ≥ 18 years old at the time of informed consent * ECOG Performance Status 0-2 * Patients with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy will be eligible * Ability to provide written informed consent and HIPAA authorization * Women of childbearing potential definition must have a negative pregnancy test within 14 days of registration. All women (regardless of sexual orientation, having undergone a tubal ligation, or remaining celibate by choice) are considered to have childbearing potential unless they meet one of the following criteria: * Prior hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy; * Has not had menses at any time in the preceding 24 consecutive months * Candidate for surgery per standard of care of per surgeon's discretion Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with pancreatic malignant tumor histologically confirmed as neuroendocrine or any other type of malignancies * Positive pregnancy test, pregnant, or breastfeeding * Known hypersensitivity to any component of the formulation or substituted benzimidazoles * Any other clinically significant laboratory abnormality that would compromise patient safety or the outcome of the study * Any clinically significant and/or uncontrolled cardiac-related abnormality that would compromise patient safety or the outcome of the study * Medical condition that might affect the absorption of study medications in the opinion of the investigator.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Stephenson Cancer Center
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, United States
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