SMAD4 Tailored Neoadjuvant Therapy for the Treatment of Resectable and Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, SMART-PANC Trial

NCT07748611 | Not Yet Recruiting Phase 2 DMC FDA Drug

• 4 other identifiers: NU 26I01NCI-2026-05293STU00226144P30CA060553
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 125
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This phase II trial tests the impact of using SMAD4-mutant status to personalize chemotherapy in treating patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) that can be removed by surgery (resectable) or that may be between resectable and unresectable (borderline resectable) before undergoing surgery (neoadjuvant). PDAC is one of the most aggressive and fastest growing tumors. SMAD4, a tumor suppressor gene, acts like a brake on cell growth and helps to prevent tumor cells from growing. However, losing it makes the tumor more aggressive and often resistant to standard of care (SOC) treatments regimens, such as gemcitabine with nab-paclitaxel and fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX). Gemcitabine is a chemotherapy drug that blocks the cells from making deoxyribonucleic (DNA) and may kill tumor cells. Paclitaxel is in a class of medications called antimicrotubule agents. It stops tumor cells from growing and dividing and may kill them. Nab-paclitaxel is an albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation of paclitaxel which may have fewer side effects and work better than other forms of paclitaxel. Fluorouracil, a type of antimetabolite, stops cells from making DNA and it may kill tumor cells. Leucovorin is a form of folic acid. It is a type of chemoprotective agent and a type of chemosensitizing agent. Irinotecan is in a class of antineoplastic medications called topoisomerase I inhibitors. It blocks a certain enzyme needed for cell division and DNA repair and may kill tumor cells. Oxaliplatin is in a class of medications called platinum-containing antineoplastic agents. It damages the cell's DNA and may kill tumor cells. Instead of a one-sized fits all treatment approach with SOC therapies, matching therapy based on SMAD4 mutation status may use this specific genetic weakness against the tumor. This approach to neoadjuvant therapy may dramatically alter the path of treatment and improve outcomes, including complete resection rates, in patients with resectable or borderline resectable PDAC.

Conditions

Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma; Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Proportion of patients who achieve R0/R1 surgical resection (Cohort A)

  Successful surgical resection is defined as macroscopically complete removal of the primary pancreatic tumor, classified as R0 or R1. Will follow the Simon's minimax two-stage design decision rule. The observed R0/R1 resection rate will be summarized descriptively and reported with an exact (Clopper-Pearson) binomial confidence interval.

  Up to 30 days from surgical resection

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Trial participation rate

  Up to 2 years

• Proportion of patients who achieve R0/R1 surgical resection rate (Cohort B)

  Up to 30 days after surgical resection

• Proportion of patients who achieve R0/R1 surgical resection rate (Cohort A)

  Up to 30 days after surgical resection

• Pathologic response rates

  Up to 30 days after surgical resection

• Progression free survival (PFS)

  From enrollment to disease progression or clinical deterioration that precludes complete surgical resection, disease recurrence after surgery, or death from any cause, assessed up to 2 years

Study Arms (2)

Cohort A (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel)

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients receive gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel with or without radiation therapy per SOC. Treatment continues for 8 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After 8 week restaging, patients may continue to receive treatment for up to 16 or 24 weeks at the discretion of the multidisciplinary tumor board. Starting 21 days after last dose of chemotherapy, patients undergo surgical resection. Additionally, patients undergo blood sample collection and CT or MRI as clinically indicated throughout the study.

Procedure: Biospecimen Collection; Procedure: Computed Tomography; Other: Electronic Health Record Review; Drug: Gemcitabine; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Drug: Nab-paclitaxel; Radiation: Radiation Therapy; Procedure: Surgical Procedure

Cohort B (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel or FOLFIRINOX)

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients receive either physicians choice of either fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin or gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel with or without radiation therapy per SOC. Treatment continues for 8 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After 8 week restaging, patients may continue to receive treatment for up to 16 or 24 weeks at the discretion of the multidisciplinary tumor board. Starting 21 days after last dose of chemotherapy, patients undergo surgical resection. Additionally, patients undergo blood sample collection and CT or MRI as clinically indicated throughout the study.

Procedure: Biospecimen Collection; Procedure: Computed Tomography; Other: Electronic Health Record Review; Drug: Fluorouracil; Drug: Gemcitabine; Drug: Irinotecan; Drug: Leucovorin; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Drug: Nab-paclitaxel; Drug: Oxaliplatin; Radiation: Radiation Therapy; Procedure: Surgical Procedure

Interventions

Biospecimen Collection PROCEDURE

Undergo blood sample collection

Also known as: Biological Sample Collection, Biospecimen Collected, Sample Collection, Specimen Collection

Cohort A (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel); Cohort B (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel or FOLFIRINOX)

Computed Tomography PROCEDURE

Undergo CT

Also known as: CAT, CAT Scan, Computed Axial Tomography, Computerized Axial Tomography, Computerized axial tomography (procedure), Computerized Tomography, Computerized Tomography (CT) scan, CT, CT Scan, Diagnostic CAT Scan, Diagnostic CAT Scan Service Type, tomography

Cohort A (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel); Cohort B (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel or FOLFIRINOX)

Electronic Health Record Review OTHER

Ancillary studies

Cohort A (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel); Cohort B (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel or FOLFIRINOX)

Fluorouracil DRUG

Given fluorouracil

Also known as: 5 Fluorouracil, 5 Fluorouracilum, 5 FU, 5-Fluoro-2,4(1H, 3H)-pyrimidinedione, 5-Fluorouracil, 5-Fluracil, 5-Fu, 5FU, AccuSite, Carac, Fluoro Uracil, Fluouracil, Flurablastin, Fluracedyl, Fluracil, Fluril, Fluroblastin, Ribofluor, Ro 2-9757, Ro-2-9757

Cohort B (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel or FOLFIRINOX)

Gemcitabine DRUG

Given gemcitabine

Also known as: dFdC, dFdCyd, Difluorodeoxycytidine

Cohort A (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel); Cohort B (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel or FOLFIRINOX)

Irinotecan DRUG

Given irinotecan

Cohort B (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel or FOLFIRINOX)

Leucovorin DRUG

Given leucovorin

Also known as: Folinic acid

Cohort B (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel or FOLFIRINOX)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging PROCEDURE

Undergo MRI

Also known as: Magnetic Resonance, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Magnetic resonance imaging (procedure), Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan, Medical Imaging, Magnetic Resonance / Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, MR, MR Imaging, MRI, MRI Scan, MRIs, NMR Imaging, NMRI, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging, sMRI, Structural MRI

Cohort A (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel); Cohort B (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel or FOLFIRINOX)

Nab-paclitaxel DRUG

Given nab-paclitaxel

Also known as: ABI 007, ABI-007, ABI007, Abraxane, Albumin-bound Paclitaxel, Albumin-Stabilized Nanoparticle Paclitaxel, Nanoparticle Albumin-bound Paclitaxel, Nanoparticle Paclitaxel, Naveruclif, Paclitaxel Albumin, paclitaxel albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation, Paclitaxel Nanoparticle Albumin-bound, Paclitaxel Protein-Bound, Protein-bound Paclitaxel

Cohort A (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel); Cohort B (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel or FOLFIRINOX)

Oxaliplatin DRUG

Given oxaliplatin

Also known as: 1-OHP, Ai Heng, Aiheng, Dacotin, Dacplat, Diaminocyclohexane Oxalatoplatinum, Eloxatin, Eloxatine, Elplat, JM 83, JM-83, JM83, Oxalatoplatin, Oxalatoplatinum, RP 54780, RP-54780, RP54780, SR 96669, SR-96669, SR96669

Cohort B (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel or FOLFIRINOX)

Radiation Therapy RADIATION

Undergo radiation therapy

Also known as: Cancer Radiotherapy, Energy Type, ENERGY_TYPE, Irradiate, Irradiated, Irradiation, Radiation, Radiation Therapy, NOS, Radiotherapeutics, Radiotherapy, RT, Therapy, Radiation

Cohort A (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel); Cohort B (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel or FOLFIRINOX)

Surgical Procedure PROCEDURE

Undergo surgical resection

Also known as: Operation, Surgery, Surgery Type, Surgery, NOS, Surgical, Surgical Intervention, Surgical Interventions, Surgical Procedures, Type of Surgery

Cohort A (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel); Cohort B (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel or FOLFIRINOX)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Patients must have histologically confirmed pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma
• Most recent cross-sectional imaging of the chest, abdomen and pelvis will be used to rule out distant metastases (this will have been completed within standard of care timelines which will typically fall within 90 days of registration)
• Patients must have undergone next generation sequencing (NGS) testing on the pre-treatment tumor tissue and must have either SMAD4 mutant or SMAD4 wild-type mutation identified before consenting for this study
• Note: Before consenting to this study, standard of care NGS procedure will be performed on pre-treatment tumor biopsies that are routinely collected through endoscopic biopsy specimens (in-house Oncomine Precision NGS). The results will be documented for this study from clinic notes
• Patients must have resectable/borderline-resectable disease
• Note: National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) definitions of resectability will be used
• Patients must be treatment-naïve and clinically fit and eligible for either FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy regimens (per treating physician's determination)
• Patients must be ≥ 18 years of age
• Patients must exhibit an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-1
• Patients must have adequate organ and bone marrow function as determined by the treating physician to be considered to be clinically fit for the physician-determined chemotherapy regimen
• Patients must agree to use adequate contraception: (e.g. hormonal or barrier method of birth control for a patient of child-bearing potential (POCBP), prior to study entry, and for the duration of study participation. Should a female patient, or a female partner of a patient become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician and study doctor immediately. Male patients with a female partner(s) of childbearing potential must agree to use highly effective contraceptive measures throughout the study starting with the screening visit through the time period indicated for standard of care drugs , after the last dose of study treatment is received. Males with pregnant partners must agree to use a condom; no additional method of contraception is required for the pregnant partner. Note: A POCBP is any patient (regardless of gender, sexual orientation, having undergone a tubal ligation, or remaining celibate by choice) with an egg-producing reproductive tract who meets the following criteria:
• Has not undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy
• Has had menses at any time in the preceding 12 consecutive months (and therefore has not been naturally postmenopausal for \> 12 months)
• POCBP must have a negative pregnancy test prior to registration on study
• Patients must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document and comply with the study requirements

You may not qualify if:

• Patients with the presence of any of the following genetic or molecular abnormalities:
• Mismatch repair (MMR)-deficiency/Lynch syndrome
• High-frequency microsatellite instability (MSI-H)
• Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)
• Patients who are currently participating in another study and receiving a study drug
• Patients who have not recovered from adverse events due to prior anti-cancer therapy (i.e., have residual toxicities \> grade 1) with the exception of alopecia, neuropathy and other non-significant adverse events per National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version (v) 6.0
• Patients with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment has the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen (per treating physician's determination)
• Patients who are pregnant or nursing
• Patients who have an uncontrolled intercurrent illness (as determined by treating physician), including, but not limited to any of the following:
• Hypertension that is not controlled on medication
• Active infection requiring treatment
• Symptomatic congestive heart failure
• Unstable angina pectoris
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Patient with presence of any concurrent medical or psychiatric condition/social situations which would make them inappropriate candidates for entry into this study or that would limit compliance with study requirements, or would compromise the patient's safety or study endpoints, in the treating investigator's judgment

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Northwestern University: lead
• National Cancer Institute (NCI): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Northwestern University

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Specimen Handling; Fluorouracil; dehydroftorafur; Gemcitabine; Irinotecan; Leucovorin; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; 130-nm albumin-bound paclitaxel; Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel; Taxes; Oxaliplatin; Radiotherapy; Radiation; Surgical Procedures, Operative

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis; Investigative Techniques; Uracil; Pyrimidinones; Pyrimidines; Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring; Heterocyclic Compounds; Deoxycytidine; Cytidine; Pyrimidine Nucleosides; Camptothecin; Alkaloids; Formyltetrahydrofolates; Tetrahydrofolates; Folic Acid; Pterins; Pteridines; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring; Heterocyclic Compounds, Fused-Ring; Coenzymes; Enzymes and Coenzymes; Spectrum Analysis; Chemistry Techniques, Analytical; Paclitaxel; Taxoids; Cyclodecanes; Cycloparaffins; Hydrocarbons, Alicyclic; Hydrocarbons, Cyclic; Hydrocarbons; Organic Chemicals; Diterpenes; Terpenes; Albumins; Proteins; Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins; Economics; Health Care Economics and Organizations; Coordination Complexes; Therapeutics; Physical Phenomena

Study Officials

• Brett L Ecker, MD

  Northwestern University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Study Coordinator

CONTACT

3126951301; cancer@northwestern.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: phase 2
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 31, 2026
• First Posted: August 6, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): February 3, 2027
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 3, 2030
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 3, 2031
• Last Updated: August 6, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Locations

US (1)