Clinical trials and Research
At the Jreissati Pancreatic Centre at Epworth, we run clinical trials and research studies covering every phase of cancer diagnosis, treatment and care.
Clinical trials and research overview
Clinical trials are vital if we are to improve the survival rate for patients with pancreatic cancer.
At the Jreissati Pancreatic Centre at Epworth, we run research studies and clinical trials covering every phase of cancer diagnosis, treatment and care. The goal is to improve patient outcomes and quality of life for patients with pancreatic cancer.
The main goal of clinical trials is to see if discoveries made during the research phase are better than current treatment options.
Types of research include:
- Clinical trials to determine whether an experimental treatment is safe and effective.
- Research studies that collect data on a disease's trajectory to better understand it.
For clinical trials, volunteer participation is essential. Results from trials will help determine if new treatments for pancreatic cancer work and if there are side effects. They're also an effective way for patients to gain access to the latest treatment options.
When deciding if you want to take part in a clinical trial, you need to be aware of what the trial involves. You should also seek advice from your specialist before taking part.
How do I join a clinical trial?
Your GP or specialist will need to refer you to our centre using our referral pathway.
After we receive your referral, we'll contact you by phone to schedule an appointment with a specialist or one of our clinical trial specialists within 72 hours.
During your appointment, the specialist will review your medical history and assess whether you are a suitable candidate for a clinical trial.
If you would like more information or if you have questions after your referral is submitted, contact our team.
Clinical Trials
ACCENT (AMP945-PC-201)
A Phase 1b/2a, Multicentre, Open Label Study of the Pharmacokinetics, Safety and Efficacy of AMP945 in Combination With Nab-paclitaxel and Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Cancer Patients.
Diagnosis: Metastatic (Stage IV) pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Treatment: Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitor AMP945 (oral) given prior to dosing with nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine in first-line setting.
Epworth locations: Epworth Richmond, Epworth Freemasons (East Melbourne), Epworth Eastern (Box Hill).
AMG193 20210023
AMG 193, Methylthioadenosine (MTA) Cooperative Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) Inhibitor, Alone and in Combination with Docetaxel in Advanced Methylthioadenosine Phosphorylase (MTAP)-Null Solid Tumors (MTAP)
Diagnosis: Locally advanced (Stage III) unresectable or metastatic (Stage IV) pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Treatment: PRMT5 inhibitor AMG193 (oral) monotherapy.
Epworth locations: Epworth Richmond, Epworth Freemasons (East Melbourne), Epworth Eastern (Box Hill).
AMG193 20230223
A Study Evaluating AMG 193 in Combination with Other Therapies in Participants with Advanced Gastrointestinal, Biliary Tract, or Pancreatic Cancers with Homozygous Methylthioadenosine Phosphorylase (MTAP)-Deletion
Diagnosis: Locally advanced (Stage III) unresectable or Metastatic (Stage IV) pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Treatment: PRMT5 inhibitor AMG193 (oral) in combination with chemotherapy.
Epworth locations: Epworth Richmond, Epworth Freemasons (East Melbourne), Epworth Eastern (Box Hill).
DIRECT-InspIRE Australia
Investigation of the safety and efficacy of irreversible electroporation (IRE) using the NanoKnife® System in patients with unresectable stage 3 pancreatic cancer who have received 3 months of chemotherapy.
Diagnosis: Locally advanced (Stage III) unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Treatment: Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) with the NanoKnife system (surgical).
Epworth locations: Epworth Freemasons (East Melbourne).
NeoFOL-R
Efficacy of Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX in Resectable pancreatic cancer: An international multicentre prospective randomized, controlled trial (NeoFOL-R).
Diagnosis: Resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Treatment: Surgery with mFOLFIRINOX chemotherapy.
Epworth locations: Epworth Richmond, Epworth Freemasons (East Melbourne), Epworth Eastern (Box Hill).
SPEAR
A Phase 2, Open-Label, Single-Arm Sulfasalazine Monotherapy Trial of Progression-Free Survival In Patients with Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.
Diagnosis: Locally advanced (Stage III) unresectable or Metastatic (Stage IV) pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Treatment: Sulfasalazine monotherapy (oral).
Epworth locations: Epworth Richmond, Epworth Freemasons (East Melbourne).
TRIPP-FFX
An open-label, multi-centre, randomized study of Targeted Radioactive Intratumoural Placement of Phosphorous-32 (OncoSil™) in addition to FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy versus FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy alone in patients with unresectable locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Diagnosis: Locally advanced (Stage III) unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Treatment: P32 Oncosil (brachytherapy device) in combination with mFOLFIRINOX chemotherapy.
Epworth locations: Epworth Richmond, Epworth Freemasons (East Melbourne), Epworth Eastern (Box Hill).
ASCEND
A Randomised, double-blinded phase II study of gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel with CEND-1 or placebo in patients with untreated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Diagnosis: Metastatic (Stage IV) pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Treatment: Gemcitabine and nab‐paclitaxel with CEND‐1/LSTA1 or placebo.
Epworth locations: Epworth Richmond, Epworth Freemasons (East Melbourne), Epworth Eastern (Box Hill).
YH003004
A phase II, multi-center, open-label study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of YH003 in combination with Toripalimab (anti-PD-1 mAb) in patients with unresectable/ metastatic melanoma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
Diagnosis: Locally advanced (Stage III) unresectable or Metastatic (Stage IV) pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Treatment: YH003 (recombinant humanized agonistic CD40 IgG2 mAb) in combination with Toripalimab (anti-PD-1 mAb) with or without nab-paclitaxel + gemcitabine.
Epworth locations: Epworth Richmond, Epworth Freemasons (East Melbourne), Epworth Eastern (Box Hill).
Research Studies
APRISE
The Australian Pancreatic High-RIsk ScrEening (APRISE) Study
Diagnosis or condition: Individuals considered at high-risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
Epworth locations: Epworth Richmond.
MoST
Molecular Screening and Therapeutics Program (MoST)
Diagnosis or condition: Pancreatic cancer.
Epworth locations: Epworth Richmond, Epworth Freemasons (East Melbourne), Epworth Eastern (Box Hill).
OSCILLATE
An Observational Study following Circulating tumour DNA during multi-Agent Therapy in PDAC (OSCILLATE)
Diagnosis or condition: Unresectable pancreatic cancer.
Epworth locations: Epworth Richmond, Epworth Freemasons (East Melbourne), Epworth Eastern (Box Hill).
SCANPatient
Synoptic reporting of CT scans assessing cancer of the pancreas
Diagnosis or condition: Suspected diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
Epworth locations: Epworth Richmond, Epworth Freemasons (East Melbourne).
PCB
Pancreaticobiliary Cancer Biobank (PCB)
Diagnosis or condition: Suspected diagnosis of pancreatic cancer or cholangiocarcinoma.
Epworth locations: Epworth Richmond.