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Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trials
Why should I participate in a clinical trial?
What is a Clinical Trial?
A clinical trial is a research study designed to evaluate new medical treatments, drugs, procedures, or devices in a controlled environment. These trials help determine the safety and effectiveness of new therapies before they become widely available to patients. Clinical trials should be included in the consideration set when discussing treatment options with your doctors and medical professionals and a last resort.
“Clinical trials should be an appetizer, not dessert,” says Kay Kays, 31-year pancreatic cancer survivor.
Why Are Clinical Trials Important?
Clinical trials are essential in advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care. They offer:
- Access to Cutting-Edge Treatments – Participants may receive innovative therapies not yet available to the public.
- Improved Survival Rates – Many clinical trials focus on life-extending treatments, especially for aggressive diseases like pancreatic cancer.
- Better Understanding of the Disease – Research from trials helps doctors refine treatments and improve outcomes for future patients.
- Hope for the Future – Every successful trial contributes to breakthroughs that can change the standard of care for generations to come.
For more than 20 years, the Seena Magowitz Foundation has been a beacon of hope for thousands of families affected by pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trials at Best-in-Class Medical Institutions
The Seena Magowitz Foundation proudly funds groundbreaking pancreatic cancer research at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and HonorHealth Research Institute. These clinical trials aim to improve treatment options and patient outcomes through cutting-edge therapies.
Clinical Trials We Fund:
- Gemcitabine + Abraxane Trial – This research played a key role in establishing today’s standard of care for pancreatic cancer.
- PROTECT-PANC: NCT06228599- SMF funded: The purpose of this study is to enroll patients who were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and completed all intended neoadjuvant therapy and surgery but have high risk features on their surgical pathology and/or elevated tumor marker CA 19-9 without definitive measurable disease on imaging. Tumors resected at the time of surgery will be profiled to identify genomic mutations that could be targeted with matched treatment. Treatment will be administered for approximately 12 weeks based on recommendations by a tumor board composed of medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, and pathologists.
- PANCREAS: NCT04683315- SMF funded: The purpose of this study is to analyze biopsies from pancreatic cancer at the time of diagnosis to determine tumor subtypes (classical or basal). This classification will then guide the physicians to administer the most effective neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with tumors that are classified as classical will receive FOLFIRINOX whereas patients with tumors classified as basal will receive Gemcitabine/Nab-paclitaxel. After two months of treatment, patients will undergo restaging to evaluate response to treatment using radiographic imaging (CT scan) and by monitoring the decrease in the tumor marker CA 19-9. Patients who demonstrate a response will be maintained on the same chemotherapy for an additional two months, whereas patients with tumors that do not respond to the initial treatment will be changed to another chemotherapy regimen or to chemoradiation.
Participating in a clinical trial may provide new hope and possibilities for patients and their families. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, discuss clinical trials as a potential option with your doctor.
Our partner, Trican Health is on a mission is to empower you to advocate for your own cancer treatment, to inform treatment conversations you have with your doctor, and to help you navigate clinical trial identification and enrollment.
Find a Clinical Trial That’s Right for You
The Seena Magowitz Foundation has partnered with TriCan Health to offer a powerful Clinical Trial Finder Tool—a resource designed to help patients, caregivers, and their doctors identify the best clinical trials available for pancreatic cancer treatment.
With this easy-to-use tool, you can:
Search for active pancreatic cancer clinical trialsFind trials based on location and eligibility criteriaExplore information and articles on clinical trials
Participating in a clinical trial may provide new hope and possibilities for patients and their families. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, discuss clinical trials as a potential option with your doctor.
By funding these critical studies, the Seena Magowitz Foundation continues its mission of advancing research, supporting patients, and realizing our vision of a world where pancreatic cancer is a chronic treatable disease.
Where do I turn to next? don't worry, We're here to help.
We know a diagnosis can be scary, but stay calm. The Seena Magowitz Foundation provides a direct line to personalized care, support and hope to those affected with pancreatic cancer. If you would like to speak with someone immediately, call us at 1-(808)-500-5020 or email us info@seenamagowitzfoundation.org.