Pancreatic cancer is one of the most common causes of death in the United States. With a
median survival of less than 6 months, the prognosis is very poor. After diagnosis, the 1
and 5-year survival rates are around 25% and 10%, respectively. Surgical resection is the
only curative treatment, but also results in relatively low survival and present
recurrence risk, depending on the stage. In the same order of magnitude, bile duct cancer
is also found, it can be classified according to location within or outside the liver,
extrahepatic bile duct tumors are much anatomically related to pancreatic tumors,
surgical treatment is therefore often the same: (partial) pancreatic resection. During
surgery, it is difficult to distinguish between malignant and benign tissue, especially
if patients have been treated neoadjuvantly. Currently, near-infrared fluorescence
imaging is a technique with great potential to illuminate important structures during
surgery. Fluorescent substances can be injected intravenously, which then specifically
attach to malignant cells or tumor-associated structures, such as stroma or blood
vessels, and emit light in the near-infrared spectrum (700-900 nm). Thus, with specially
equipped camera systems, tumors literally light up and the surgeon can completely remove
the tumors during surgery in real time. cRGD-ZW800-1 is a newly developed fluorescent
agent, which binds to integrins, which are associated with neoangiogenesis, and has the
potential to make tumor cells in the pancreas more visible during surgery in order to
achieve more complete surgical (R0) resections.
Aims of the study:
To assess the feasibility, safety and tolerability of cRGD-ZW800-1 for the
visualization of pancreatic carcinomas, perihilar or distal cholangiocarcinomas and
if present associated metastatic lymph nodes and their distant metastases in
real-time using specific NIR fluorescence imaging systems.
Determining the optimal dose and dose interval of a single intravenous bolus
injection of cRGD-ZW800-1 for intraoperative NIR imaging
Study design:
Open label, dose-ranging and optimal dose-(interval) selection study, with a
two-factorial design. In total 20 patients diagnosed with a malignant tumor of the
pancreas, or distal/hilar bile ducts, which are eligible for surgical resection with or
without neoadjuvant treatment will be enrolled. These patients will be distributed over
four dosing-, and one expansion cohort: Cohort 1 (0.05mg/kg, 2-4h before intervention),
Cohort 2 (0.05mg/kg, 14-24h before intervention), Cohort 3 (0.025mg/kg, 2-4h before
intervention), Cohort 4 (0.025mg/kg, 14-24h before intervention) and Cohort 5 (expansion
cohort). Patients are included if they met the inclusion/exclusion criteria and will be
screened during pre-operative work-up for surgery.
Study population: Patients with or without neoadjuvant treatment eligible for surgical
resection at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) of histologically proven
malignant tumors of the pancreas head, neck and tail. As well as patients with
histologically proven tumors of the peri-hilar and distal bile ducts (extrahepatic
cholangiocarcinomas) with or without neoadjuvant treatment.
Intervention: Single bolus injection of cRGD-ZW800-1 2-24h before surgery.
Intra-operative in-vivo assessment of NIR-fluorescence of tumor, lymph nodes, possible
distant metastasis and anatomical related structures. After resection ex-vivo assessment
of NIR-fluorescence of all resected tissue, on gross-macroscopy, bread loafs and
microscopic slides.
Investigational drug: Intravenous single bolus injection of the targeted NIR fluorophore
cRGD-ZW800-1. This targeted 800nm zwitterionic fluorophore developed by the Hospital
Pharmacy Department of LUMC consists of the fluorophore ZW800-1 conjugated to the cRGD
peptide.
Imaging: Intraoperative imaging will be performed with at least one of the following
CE-marked near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging systems: Quest Spectrum imaging
platform (v2/3.0) for open-procedures, the Olympus or Karl-Storz system for the
diagnostic laparoscopy or the Intuitive Surgical Da Vinci Xi (Firefly-mode) for minimally
invasive robot-assisted procedures. With a NIR-imaging system a potential fluorescent
signal of the tumor can be evaluated. Furthermore, the Quest Spectrum platform will also
be used for evaluation of ex-vivo fluorescence of resected tissue on the back table (Back
table imaging) and pathology department (ex-vivo imaging), which shall be performed
during and after every procedure.