Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trials

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network recommends that all patients consider clinical trials when exploring treatment options.

We can connect you with a trial that may be right for you. Your participation could have a positive impact on your treatment and will help speed scientific progress toward therapeutic breakthroughs for those who have yet to be diagnosed.

What are clinical trials?
Clinical trials are research studies that investigate new treatments or new combinations of treatments. They also observe patient performance with these new treatments. Clinical trials are the only way that researchers can develop new treatment options for pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer clinical trials are necessary to determine whether new treatments developed in the laboratory are beneficial to people living with pancreatic cancer. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews and analyzes data from successful clinical trials to determine whether an experimental treatment should be approved for the treatment of a specific disease or disorder, such as pancreatic cancer.

Clinical trials for pancreatic cancer may be carried out using completely new treatment options or using treatments that are already available for other cancers or other conditions. Since all cancers are different, a drug that is already approved by the FDA for the treatment of one type of cancer may not be approved to treat pancreatic cancer. In order for any pancreatic cancer therapy to be approved, it must pass through the clinical trial process involving patients who have pancreatic cancer.

In cancer treatment clinical trials, inactive treatments, or placebos, are never used in place of active cancer treatment. All patients who participate in a cancer clinical trial will receive either the standard of care treatment option or the new treatment.

"Being part of a clinical trial has shown me the difference between thinking ‘outside of the box’ in terms of patient care and treatment, and accepting what was essentially a hopeless diagnosis. My trial gave me the hope I needed to face my fears."
–Phillip Schwimmer, Pancreatic cancer survivor

Why are clinical trials important?
Clinical trials provide current patients the opportunity to receive a promising drug or treatment.

Clinical trials are also the only way for researchers to confirm whether new treatments are beneficial for patients. Many clinical trials are currently in progress to study new drugs, drug combinations, and other treatments for pancreatic cancer.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s Patient and Liaison Services (PALS) program maintains a comprehensive database containing up-to-date information about all pancreatic cancer clinical trials taking place in the United States. We offer personalized clinical trial searches so that patients can find trials for which they may be eligible.

"Without clinical trials, we will not be able to develop new drugs and new treatments that will hopefully increase survival and the cure rate of this disease."
–Jordan Berlin, Pancreatic cancer oncologist, Chair of the organization’s Medical Advisory Board

Let us help you find a clinical trial that may be right for you!

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network recommends that all patients consider clinical trials when exploring treatment options.

Listen to an overview presentation about Clinical Trials presented by Jordan Berlin, MD, Associate Professor and Clinical Director of GI Oncology and Phase I Program Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Chair of the Medical Advisory Board for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and Anitra Talley, Director of Patient Services and Medical Relations for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

How does a new treatment get FDA approval?
What rights and protections do participants have in a clinical trial?
Common concerns about clinical trials
Benefits and considerations

The information and services provided by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Inc. are for informational purposes only.  The information and services are not intended to be substitutes for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  If you are ill, or suspect that you are ill, see a doctor immediately!  The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network does not recommend nor endorse any specific physicians, products or treatments even though they may be mentioned on this site.  111221