Perioperative Fostamatinib With Gemcitabine and Nab-paclitaxel in Resectable Pancreatic Cancer

Although immune checkpoint inhibition has transformed the treatment of some solid malignancies, it has made minimal impact in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which is characterized by a profoundly immunosuppressive microenvironment. Recent published work by the study investigators demonstrated that inhibition of the Syk kinase - alone and in combination with gemcitabine - in preclinical models of PDAC (animal tumor models and human tissues) reprogrammed tumor associated macrophages resulting in enhanced anti-tumor immunity. With this phase Ib study, the investigators aim to expand the preclinical findings to patients with PDAC. This study will evaluate perioperative fostamatinib in combination with standard of care chemotherapy with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel. Study participants will receive 4 cycles preoperatively, followed by pancreatic surgical resection and 2 cycles postoperatively. Participants will be followed long term until death or until 2 years after enrollment, whichever occurs first, to evaluate safety and efficacy of perioperative fostamatinib in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel.

Inclusion criteria

• Patient has the ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent.
• Patient is ≥ 18 years of age.
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status ≤ 1.
• Patient must have surgical consult to verify patient is a surgical candidate within 28 days prior to enrollment.
• Patient must have resectable primary PDAC based on contrast-enhanced CT or MRI of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis performed no more than 4 weeks before enrollment/baseline. Note that if CT or MRI was performed more than 4 weeks before this visit, imaging needs to be repeated to evaluate eligibility in the study. Resectable primary tumor is defined as:

• No involvement of the celiac artery, common hepatic artery, and superior mesenteric artery (and, if present, replaced right hepatic artery).
• No involvement, or < 180° interface between tumor and vessel wall, of the portal vein and/or superior mesenteric vein.
• Patent portal vein/splenic vein confluence.
• No evidence of metastatic disease.
• Lymphadenopathy (defined as nodes measuring > 1cm in short axis) outside the surgical basin (i.e., para- aortic, peri-caval, celiac axis, or distant nodes) is considered M1 disease and makes the patient ineligible. If, however, such nodes are biopsied and are negative, then enrollment can be considered after review with the study principal investigator (PI) and/or co-investigator.
• For tumors of the body and tail of the pancreas, involvement of the splenic artery and vein of any degree is considered resectable disease.
• Patient has adequate organ function as defined below:

• Absolute Neutrophil Count ≥ 1.5 x 10^9/L
• Platelet count ≥ 100 x 10^9/L.
• Hemoglobin ≥ 9.0 g/dL
• aspartate aminotransferase (AST/SGOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT/SPGT) ≤ 2.5 X institutional upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Total Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x institutional ULN or ≤3 × institutional ULN in Gilbert's Ds
• Serum creatinine ≤ 2 x institutional ULN
• For subjects able to become pregnant: use of highly effective contraception for at least 2 weeks prior to enrollment and agreement to use such a method during study participation.
• For subjects able to cause a pregnancy: use of condoms or other methods to ensure effective contraception with partner during study participation.

Exclusion criteria

• Any prior treatment for PDAC.
• Recurrent or metastatic PDAC.
• Peripheral neuropathy > grade 2
• Received an investigational agent within 28 days prior to the first dose of study drug.
• History of Hepatitis B (defined as Hepatitis B surface antigen, HBsAg, reactive) or known active Hepatitis C virus (HCV) (defined as HCV RNA - qualitative - is detected) infection. Note: no testing for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C is required unless mandated by local health authority. (Individuals who are hepatitis C antibody positive may be enrolled if negative viral load confirmed).
• Active infection requiring systemic therapy.
• Known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial.
• History of receiving a solid organ transplant or allogeneic bone marrow transplant.
• Major surgical procedure within 28 days prior to the first dose of study drug.
• Unable or unwilling to withhold or discontinue any prohibited or restricted medications/procedures for the specified windows during the study.
• Pregnancy or lactation.