Could a measles vaccine fight pancreatic cancer?
NCT ID NCT07539155
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Sep 02, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This early-phase trial is testing whether injecting the MMR vaccine directly into pancreatic tumors is safe and can help shrink them. The study will include 20 adults with borderline resectable or unresectable pancreatic cancer who have already completed standard chemotherapy and radiation. Researchers will measure immune cell changes in the tumor and track progression-free survival.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new way to treat pancreatic cancer by using the body's own immune system to attack the tumor.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small trial with only 20 people. It is testing safety and immune response, not yet proven to shrink tumors or extend life. There is no guarantee it will work.
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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Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
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About 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2026
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 years and older
- 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: 1. Age ≥ 18 years. 2. Pathologically proven locally advanced adenocarcinoma of pancreas. 3. Borderline resectable pancreatic cancer that is determined to be unresectable following completion of SoC chemotherapy and RT as evidenced by any of the following: 1. Encasement of gastroduodenal artery up to the common hepatic artery/short segment encasement or abutment of the hepatic artery, but without extension to the celiac trunk. 2. Venous involvement of SMV or portal vein, less than 180 degrees. 3. Tumor abutment of SMA, less than half the circumference of the vessel wall. OR Unresectable pancreatic cancer that remains unresectable following completion of SoC chemotherapy and RT as evidenced by any of the following: 4. Greater than 180-degree encasement or occlusion/thrombus of SMA, unresectable SMV, or SMV-portal confluence occlusion. 5. Direct involvement of inferior vena cava, aorta, celiac trunk, or hepatic artery, as defined by the absence of fat plane between low-density tumor and these structures on CT scan. OR Surgeon deems that the pancreatic cancer is unresectable. 4. Prior history of treatment with chemotherapy (e.g., FOLFIRINOX, Gemcitabine + Abraxane or NALIRIFOX \[liposomal irinotecan (Nal-IRI or Onivyde®), Nab Paclitaxel, 5 fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin and oxaliplatin\]) and RT. The chemotherapy regimen is per treating physician's choice. The chemotherapy agent for radio sensitization is up to the treating physician (capecitabine, 5FU or gemcitabine). a. The chemo-radiation therapy regimen should be completed at least 6 weeks but no more than 12 weeks from planned Day 1. 5. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-1. 6. Adequate hematological function (Hemoglobin \> 9g/dL, White Blood Cell (WBC) count \> 1500 K/µL, Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) \> 500 K/µL, Platelet count \> 100 K/µL). 7. Adequate hepatic function (Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal \[ULN\]) (Note: In subjects with Gilbert's syndrome, if total bilirubin is \>1.5 × ULN, measure direct and indirect bilirubin and if direct bilirubin is ≤ 1.5 × ULN, subject is eligible); Aspartate aminotransferase (AST\[SGOT\]) or Alanine aminotransferase (ALT\[SGPT\]) ≤ 2.5 × institutional ULN; Serum albumin ≥ 3.0 g/dL. 8. Adequate renal function (i.e., creatinine less than 1.5 times ULN). Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pancreatic cancer that was either resectable before SoC treatment or became resectable following SoC chemotherapy and RT. 2. Subjects with radiographically proven metastatic disease are excluded. 3. Subject must not be pregnant and/or currently breastfeeding or plan to be. 4. Subject must not have received any live vaccine, including MMR, within 30 days prior to the dose of study drug. 5. Subject must not have treatment with any anti-cancer therapy including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, biological, immunotherapy or an investigational therapy, including targeted small molecule agents, within 5 half-lives (or 2 weeks if half-life is unknown) prior to day 1. 6. Subject has no unresolved toxicities, AEs ≥ Grade 2 (NCI CTCAE version 5.0), from prior anticancer therapy. 7. Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, might interfere with the safe conduct of the study.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
RECRUITINGLittle Rock, Arkansas, 72205, United States
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