Phase II/III of Randomized Controlled Clinical Research on IRE Synchronous Chemotherapy for LAPC

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly malignant digestive tract tumor that is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both the United States and Germany by 2030. The majority of patients have locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) or metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC) at initial diagnosis; in fact, less than 20% of newly diagnosed patients are eligible for surgical resection . The 5-year relative survival rate for PC is 8%, and for those cases diagnosed at a distant stage, the 5-year survival is 3%. For LAPC, chemotherapy, such as FOLFIRINOX (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin), gemcitabine plus albumin-bound paclitaxel, or gemcitabine monotherapy, is considered first-line therapy.

However, chemotherapy has been shown to have little effect on the survival rate of those with PC, leading to the evaluation of new interventions. Recently, radiofrequency, microwave, cryoablation, and other minimally invasive therapies have been proven to be effective in the treatment of LAPC. However, these temperature-dependent ablation methods may damage peripancreatic vessels, the duodenum, and the bile and pancreatic duct, leading to high morbidity and mortality. Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a new, nonthermal local ablation method for solid tumors. It utilizes targeted delivery of millisecond electrical pulses that induce permeabilization of cell membranes, resulting in unrecoverable nanoscale perforation and apoptotic cell death without damaging the structural components of tissues.

IRE has recently been found to have unique advantages and effectiveness in the treatment of PC. There are different proportions of exposed cells in the IRE zone and the reversible electroporation (RE) zone with a standard default electric field intensity of 1500 V per cm . In the RE zone, the permeability of the cell membranes caused by electroporation can promote the diffusion of drugs into the cells and increase cytotoxicity , which might further increase tumor treatment efficacy. Indeed, a preclinical experiment has proven that IRE may potentially reduce local recurrence by allowing increased gemcitabine tissue delivery in the RE zone.

With the above in mind, this randomized, controlled clinical trial combined systemic chemotherapy and IRE for the treatment of LAPC. The aim of this study was to assess the progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR) and adverse events after combined therapy, with a view of achieving a more effective treatment method for LAPC.

Inclusion criteria

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed pancreatic cancer；
• Radiologic confirmation of AJCC stage III locally advanced pancreatic cancer；
• Histological or cytological confirmation of pancreatic adenocarcinoma;
• The maximum diameter of tumor is less than 5 cm；
• Biliary drainage in patients with biliary obstruction；
• PS 0-1
• Written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma;
• The tumor invaded the duodenum or stomach through mucosa；
• History of epilepsy;
• History of cardiac disease: congestive heart failure > NYHA classification 2;
• cardiac arrhythmias requiring anti-arrhythmic therapy or pacemaker;
• Coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction occurred within 6 months before the screening；
• Uncontrolled hypertension. During screening, blood pressure should be controlled at less than 160/95 mmHg.
• Any implanted metal stent/device within the area of ablation that cannot be removed;
• Any implanted stimulation device;
• Uncontrolled infection (>grade 2 according to NCI CTCAE V4.0);
• Pregnant or lactating women. Women suspected of pregnancy should be tested for pregnancy within 7 days before treatment.
• Allergy to contrast media;
• Compromised liver function: signs of portal hypertension; INR >1.5 without use of anticoagulants; ascites;
• Any condition that is unstable or that could jeopardize the safety of the subject and their compliance in the study；
• There was a history of chemotherapy within 1 months before screening；
• There was a history of IRE, cryotherapy, microwave therapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy for pancreatic tumors within the first three months of screening；
• Other primary tumors, except adequately treated non-melanoma skin cancer, cervical carcinoma in situ or other malignant tumors, which did not recur after 5 years of treatment;
• Infection beyond control > Level 2 (NCI-CTC3.0 version);