Stimulation With Bethanechol in Combination With Gemcitabine and Nab-paclitaxel in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the drug, bethanechol, could potentially be used in combination with chemotherapy regimen gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel and surgery to decrease the chance of the cancer coming back after it is removed. Animal models have shown that treatment with bethanechol can inhibit cancer growth and spread. The chemotherapy regimen nab-paclitaxel for use in combination with gemcitabine to treat patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer is FDA approved. Although bethanechol is FDA approved, in this study its use is experimental. The aim of the study is to show that the medication is easy to tolerate and that it shows signs of slowing cancer cell growth. The investigators hypothesize that treatment with bethanechol will alter nerve conduction within tumors by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system and reduce tumor proliferation, decrease CD44+ expression in cancer cells, decrease tumor growth rate resulting in an improved R0 resection rate.

Inclusion criteria

• Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
• Plan for neoadjuvant chemotherapy
• Available diagnostic tissue adequate for biomarker analysis
• Ability to tolerate PO meds and comply with study procedures

Exclusion criteria

• Metastatic disease
• Evidence of GI obstruction
• Baseline bradycardia (HR<55) or hypotension (systolic blood pressure<90)
• Use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
• Medical conditions including: hyperthyroidism, active/symptomatic coronary artery disease, seizure disorder, peptic ulcer disease.