
“I think it’s really important that people keep signing up to these type of trials to push research forward.”
Please note - this trial is no longer recruiting patients. We hope to add results when they are available.
This trial is looking at using a new drug called dasatinib with gemcitabine for pancreatic cancer that has spread into the surrounding tissue ().
Doctors often treat locally advanced pancreatic cancer with gemcitabine. They may follow this with radiotherapy.
Dasatinib is a biological therapy called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). TKIs block tyrosine kinase which is a chemical messenger (an enzyme) that sends messages to tell cells to divide and grow. Blocking the effect of tyrosine kinase may stop cancer cells growing.
The researchers want to find out
You may be able to enter this trial if you
You cannot enter this trial if you
This is a phase 2 trial. It will recruit up to 200 people from around the world.
It is a randomised trial. You will be put into 1 of 2 treatment groups by a computer. Neither you nor your doctor can choose which group you are in. Neither you nor your doctor will know which group you are in. This is called a double blind trial.
The 2 treatment groups are
You have gemcitabine as a drip into a vein. You have it once a week for 3 out of every 4 weeks. Each 4 week period is called a cycle of treatment.
Dasatinib and the dummy drug are tablets. You take the tablets at the same time each day.
After 6 cycles of treatment, your doctor will talk to you about whether you need to have radiotherapy. If you have radiotherapy, you will stop having gemcitabine and dasatinib, or the dummy drug. You can start them again after you have finished your radiotherapy.
You can continue to have gemcitabine and dasatinib, or the dummy drug, as long as the side effects aren’t bad and the treatment is still helping.
You will see the doctor and have some tests before starting treatment. These tests may include
At the start of each cycle of treatment you see the doctor for a physical examination and to see how you are. Every week during treatment you have blood tests. Your blood pressure, temperature and pulse are also measured. After every 2 cycles of treatment you have a CT scan or MRI scan.
If you are having radiotherapy, you will see the doctor at the end of cycle 6 for blood tests and a physical examination, including measuring your blood pressure, temperature and pulse. They will also ask you about how you have been and side effects you might have.
At the end of treatment you see the doctor and have
Your doctor will talk to you about any other visits that may be needed.
Every month after treatment your doctor will see you, or the study team will phone you, to see how you are.
The most common side effects of dasatinib include
The most common side effects of gemcitabine are
We have more information about dasatinib and gemcitabine in our cancer drugs section.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Professor Jeff Evans
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC)
NIHR Clinical Research Network: Cancer
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization Inc
Freephone 0808 800 4040
“I think it’s really important that people keep signing up to these type of trials to push research forward.”