Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosolized Chemotherapy (PIPAC) in Patients With Peritoneal Metastasis From Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Phase I Trial of Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosolized Chemotherapy (PIPAC) in Patients With Peritoneal Metastasis From Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Northwell Health
10 participants
Dec 30, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
Palliative systemic therapy is the standard treatment option for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and peritoneal metastasis (PM), who have a median overall survival of only 6-11 months and a serious adverse event (SAE) rate of \>5%. Patients with peritoneal-only metastasis may demonstrate unique tumor biology with less potential for hematogenous and lymphatic spread, making them potential candidates for a regional approach directed at the peritoneum. PIPAC is a drug- delivery system that combines the pharmacokinetic advantages of low- dose intraperitoneal chemotherapy (high tumor tissue penetration with low systemic absorption/toxicity) with the principles of aerosolization (homogenous intraperitoneal distribution and deeper tissue penetration). PIPAC may offer a complimentary approach to maximize drug delivery to tumor implants, potentially improving quality of life and survival without significant additional morbidity. Several non-randomized studies have evaluated safety, feasibility, and efficacy of PIPAC with various intraperitoneal agents in a variety of tumor types. Very few patients with pancreatic cancer PM have been included in these studies and most have been treated with either PIPAC-oxaliplatin or doxorubicin/cisplatin. A recent phase 1 dose-escalation study included patients with ovarian, gastric, breast, and hepatopancreatobiliary malignancies. One patient with pancreatic cancer was included in this study. The recommended phase 2 dose was 140 mg/m2, with guidance to decrease the dose to 112.5 mg/m2 in patients with hepatic impairment. Therefore, the dose utilized in this study is 112.5 mg/m2. This recommendation was based on concern for nab-paclitaxel hepatotoxicity, but there was no data presented to support this expert recommendation. This study sets out to explore the role of PIPAC with nab-paclitaxel in combination with medical oncology choice standard of care therapy in this patient population.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria24
- Ability to understand and sign informed consent form
- Age ≥18 years
- Patient must have histologically confirmed pancreatic adenocarcinoma with either histologic confirmation or strong suspicion of peritoneal metastasis on cross sectional imaging
- ECOG performance status ≤ 2
- Pre-treatment Laboratory Parameters:
- Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) > 1500/mm3
- Platelets > 100,000/mm3
- Hemoglobin > 9 g/dl
- Serum total bilirubin < 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) < 2.5 x ULN, unless patient is known to have chronic liver disease (hepatitis) in which case AST and ALT must be ≤ 5 x ULN.
- Creatinine clearance (Ccr) > 40 ml/min
- No contraindications for a laparoscopy.
- The peritoneal disease does not have to be measurable by RECIST 1.1 but needs to visible on cross sectional imaging or diagnostic laparoscopy.
- For patients with a known history of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the HBV viral load must be undetectable on suppressive therapy, if indicated.
- Patients with a known history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection must have been treated and cured. For patients with HCV infection who are currently on treatment, they are eligible if they have an undetectable HCV viral load.
- Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) and male patients with WOCBP partner must be using an adequate method of contraception to avoid pregnancy throughout the study and for up to 6 months after the PIPAC or last dose of chemotherapy in such a manner that the risk of pregnancy is minimized .-WOCBP include any female who has experienced menarche and who has not undergone successful surgical sterilization (hysterectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, or bilateral oophorectomy) or is not postmenopausal. Post menopause is defined as:
- Amenorrhea ≥ 12 consecutive months without another cause or For women with irregular menstrual periods and on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a documented serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level > 35 mIU/mL Women who are using oral contraceptives, other hormonal contraceptives (vaginal products, skin patches, or implanted or injectable products), or mechanical products such as an intrauterine device or barrier methods (diaphragm, condoms, spermicides) to prevent pregnancy, or are practicing abstinence or where their partner is sterile (e.g., vasectomy) should be considered of childbearing potential.
- Inclusion to proceed with PIPAC :
- Laparoscopy findings must meet all of the below criteria in order to proceed to PIPAC:
- PIPAC access is feasible
- There is room for aerosol therapy
- There is no evidence of impending bowel obstruction
- < 5 L of ascites
- Not a candidate for cytoreduction and HIPEC
Exclusion Criteria12
- Confirmed or suspected extra-peritoneal metastasis
- Bowel obstruction requiring nasogastric tube, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy or exclusive total parenteral nutrition.
- Life expectancy of less than 4 months.
- Prior intra-abdominal aerosol chemotherapy
- Previous anaphylactic reaction to the nab-paclitaxel drug used.
- Intra-abdominal Ascites >5L
- Patients may not be receiving any other investigational agents.
- Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, severe myocardial insufficiency, recent myocardial infarction, severe arrhythmias, severe renal impairment, myelosuppression, or severe hepatic impairment.
- Immunocompromised patients such as those with an immunosuppressive medication or a known disease of the immune system.
- New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class 3 or 4; myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, diabetes mellitus with ketoacidosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requiring hospitalization in the preceding 6 months.
- Exclusive total parenteral nutrition.
- Pregnancy. Patients with psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
Interested in this trial?
Get notified about updates and connect with the research team.
Interventions
Pressurized Intra Peritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) is a novel therapeutic approach that is minimally invasive, does not require cytoreduction (laparotomy) and can be frequently repeated. PIPAC entails accessing the abdominal cavity using standard laparoscopic techniques with the chemotherapeutics aerosolized via a high-pressure micro-injection pump (MIP) . PIPAC has not yet been investigated in the US and remains investigational in Europe. A MIP is utilized to aerosolize and deliver chemotherapeutic medications into the abdominal cavity during laparoscopy for treatment of primary and secondary peritoneal malignancy. The study device consists of a nebulizer, that when connected to a high-pressure injector, is inserted into the abdomen during a laparoscopic procedure. Pressurization of the liquid chemotherapy through the study device results in aerosolization of the chemotherapy intra-abdominally. The device is single use and not re-sterilized. It is removed at the conclusion
The dose for this intervention will be 112.5mg/m2, for which the rationale is provided in section 4.3: Justification of Dose. Nab-paclitaxel will be delivered during the PIPAC procedures via the device described above over 5 minutes and will remain in contact with the peritoneum for 30 minutes, after which the pneumoperitoneum will be evacuated, and the abdomen closed. Nab-paclitaxel is diluted in total volume of 200 ml NaCl 0.9%. The solution will be used within 4 hours of reconstitution per prescribing recommendation (if longer, a new solution will be reconstituted). This will be repeated twice, every six weeks, for a total of three PIPAC procedures.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT07253662