Pancreaze (Pancrelipase) for Patients With Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma With Cachexia and Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Last updated: February 18, 2025
Sponsor: Andrew Hendifar, MD
Overall Status: Active - Not Recruiting

Phase

2

Condition

Pancreatitis

Pancreatic Disorders

Cancer/tumors

Treatment

Pancrelipase

Clinical Study ID

NCT04098237
IIT2018-29-HENDIFAR-PNCX3
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

The objective of this study is to assess weight stability, functional changes, and quality of life when Pancreaze (pancrelipase) delayed-release 84,000-lipase units (capsules), for main meals, and 42,000-lipase units (capsules), for snacks, are added to standard of care in patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to pancreatic adenocarcinoma. This will be the first prospective study of this particular formulation in addition to standard of care in advanced pancreatic cancer patients. We will treat 40 consecutive patients with borderline resectable, locally advanced and advanced pancreatic cancer patients who present with weight loss and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency with this advanced formulation of Pancreaze.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Borderline resectable, locally advanced, and advanced pancreatic cancer patients (can include new or recurrent diagnosis) referred to SOCCI-CSMC (Samuel OschinCancer Center - Cedars Sinai Medical Center)

  2. Age ≥ 18 years.

  3. ECOG performance status 0-1 or Karnofsky PS >60%

  4. Clinical diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

  5. Cachexia defined as at least 5% weight loss in the presence of chronic illness,within any 6-month period prior to screening OR as documented by the medicalphysician based on standard diagnosis of cachexia

  6. Life expectancy of greater than 3 months, in the opinion of the investigator.

  7. Patients must have normal organ and marrow function as defined below:

  • Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) ≥ 500/mcL

  • Platelets ≥ 50,000/mcL

  • Total bilirubin ≤ 5X upper limit of normal (ULN)

  • AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) ≤ 5 X ULN

  • Creatinine OR creatinine clearance ≤ 3 times the upper limit of normal OR ≥ 30mL/min/1.73 m² for patients with creatinine levels above normal.

  • Note: Patients with biliary stents are eligible provided that all otherinclusion criteria are met.

  1. Woman of child-bearing potential (WOCBP) and men must agree to use adequatecontraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) from thetime of signing the informed consent form, for the duration of study participation,and for at least 30 days after discontinuing from study treatment.

  2. Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consentdocument

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or activeinfection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiacarrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliancewith study requirements.

  2. Women who are pregnant or are breastfeeding

  3. Dementia or altered mental status that would prohibit the understanding or renderingof informed consent

  4. Unable to swallow intact capsules

  5. Fibrosing colonopathy: Patients with history of fibrosing colonopathy have beenreported to experience advancement to colonic strictures with doses of lipase>6000units/kg/meal over prolonged periods of time.

  6. History of chronic illness associated with malabsorption or nutrient deficiencyincluding but not limited to chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease,Crohn's disease, pernicious anemia and/or prior intestinal resection.

  7. Coexistent other primary malignancy

  8. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or of childbearing potential and not willing to usemethods of birth control during the study

  9. Active drug abuse or intoxication with any substance including alcohol (bloodalcohol content >0.08%, legal driving limit)

  10. Known allergy to any of the active ingredients in pancreatic enzyme supplementation

  11. Concurrent use of pancreatic enzyme supplementation or over the counter supplementswhich contain lipase, protease, and amylase as active ingredients

Study Design

Total Participants: 36
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Pancrelipase
Phase: 2
Study Start date:
December 17, 2020
Estimated Completion Date:
January 31, 2027

Connect with a study center

  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

    Los Angeles, California 90048
    United States

    Site Not Available

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