Active Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trials

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov · Privacy-First Design · No Account Required · No Health Data Stored

Why Consider a Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial?

• Find Trials That Fit — Browse recruiting Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer trials pulled directly from ClinicalTrials.gov — updated continuously so you always see real, active studies.
• No Medical Jargon — Eligibility criteria are rewritten into plain yes-or-no questions. It's always okay to answer "not sure" — your doctor can help fill in the rest.
• See How Well You Match — Get a clear picture of how closely a trial fits your situation, so you know which ones are worth bringing to your oncologist.
• Ready for Your Appointment — Generate a printable or emailable summary for your next visit. A caregiver can send it to your doctor ahead of time.

How It Works

1. Share a Few Details — Enter your Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer type, stage, and location. No personal health information is required or stored.
2. Answer Yes-or-No Questions — We rewrite complex eligibility criteria into plain language. "Not sure" is always a valid answer.
3. Bring Results to Your Doctor — Get a printable summary with the NCT ID, match assessment, and questions to ask your oncologist.

Free · No account · Nothing you enter is stored

Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial FAQ

Are there clinical trials specifically for stage 4 (metastatic) pancreatic cancer?

Yes. Most pancreatic cancer clinical trials target metastatic disease because the majority of patients are diagnosed at stage 4. Trials test first-line combinations (FOLFIRINOX variants, gemcitabine + nab-paclitaxel with novel additions), second-line agents (nanoliposomal irinotecan combinations, KRAS inhibitors), and entirely novel mechanisms (mRNA cancer vaccines, oncolytic viruses, CAR-T).

What KRAS-targeted trials are available for stage 4 pancreatic cancer?

KRAS mutations occur in over 90% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC). KRAS G12C inhibitors (sotorasib, adagrasib) are FDA-approved for lung cancer and being tested in PDAC. Pan-KRAS and KRAS G12D/G12V inhibitors are in active trials specifically for pancreatic cancer. Next-generation SOS1 inhibitors and SHP2 inhibitors, which work upstream of KRAS, are also in trials. Molecular profiling is essential to identify your KRAS variant.

Can I join a pancreatic cancer trial if I've already had FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine?

Yes. Several second-line and later-line trials specifically enroll patients who have progressed on one or more prior lines of chemotherapy. Nanoliposomal irinotecan (Onivyde) plus 5-FU/leucovorin is approved and being studied in combinations. KRAS inhibitors and other novel agents in second-line trials are accepting patients who progressed after standard chemotherapy.

Are mRNA cancer vaccines being tested for stage 4 pancreatic cancer?

Yes. Personalized mRNA neoantigen vaccines (similar technology to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines) are in early-phase trials for pancreatic cancer. These vaccines are customized based on mutations in a patient's tumor and aim to train the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Early results in adjuvant pancreatic cancer patients showed promise, and metastatic disease trials are underway.

What performance status do I need to join a stage 4 pancreatic cancer trial?

Most trials require an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1 (able to perform light activities independently). Some trials accept ECOG 2. Pancreatic cancer can cause significant weight loss, pain, and fatigue, so performance status fluctuates. If your status is currently ECOG 2 or higher, discuss with your oncologist whether supportive care measures (pain control, nutrition) could improve your status to qualify for a trial.

Explore Other Cancer Trial Guides

• Pancreatic Cancer — Pancreatic cancer trials are at the forefront of KRAS inhibitor research, mRNA vaccines, and combination immunotherapy. Participating in a trial may give access to treatments not yet available to the general public.
• Colorectal Cancer — Colorectal cancer trials are evaluating immunotherapy for MSI-H tumors, KRAS and BRAF targeted therapies, and novel combinations for metastatic disease. Many trials enroll both colon and rectal cancer patients.
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• Ovarian Cancer — Ovarian cancer trials are investigating PARP inhibitor combinations, antibody-drug conjugates, folate receptor-targeted therapy, and immunotherapy — with studies available for both platinum-sensitive and resistant disease.