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To evaluate the status of adjuvant immunotherapy trials in resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

April 5, 2026Cancer Research0 citations

Abstract 6436: Carmel Awadallah , MD

Key Points

To evaluate the status of adjuvant immunotherapy trials in resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Queried ClinicalTrials.gov for phase 2-3 trials from January 2000 to January 2025.
Categorized trials by treatment type: immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and chemotherapy.
Extracted data on phase, enrollment, endpoints, and sponsorship.
Identified 36 eligible trials, mostly phase 2 (75%), with few phase 3 (6%).
Most trials enrolled fewer than 50 patients; only 8% enrolled 200 or more.
Overall survival was the most common endpoint (97%), with minimal focus on surgical outcomes.

Abstract

Abstract Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies despite adjuvant chemotherapy. Immunotherapy has transformed adjuvant therapy in other solid tumors, yet its role in PDAC is undefined. We aimed to characterize the landscape of adjuvant systemic trials in resected PDAC, with a focus on immunotherapy, to identify progress and barriers to clinical impact. Methods: We queried ClinicalTrials.gov for interventional phase 2-3 adjuvant trials in resected PDAC registered between January 2000 and January 2025. Trials were categorized as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, other novel systemic strategies, or traditional chemotherapy. Phase, enrollment, sponsor type, and endpoints were extracted and summarized descriptively. Results: Thirty-six eligible trials were identified. Most were phase 2 (n=27, 75%), with only two phase 3 studies (6%). Enrollment was modest: 27 trials (75%) included fewer than 50 patients, while only three (8%) enrolled ≥200. Overall survival was the most common endpoint (n=35, 97%), followed by safety/toxicity (n=23, 64%) and disease-free survival (n=10, 28%); surgical endpoints were rare, including R0 resection (n=6, 17%) and pathologic complete response (n=2, 6%). Sponsorship was predominantly academic (n=28, 78%), with limited industry-led (n=3, 8%) or mixed (n=5, 14%) involvement. Immunotherapy approaches were mainly vaccines (GVAX, TG-01, ELI-002) and immune modulators, with only one small trial testing a checkpoint inhibitor (CT-011). Conclusions: Over two decades, adjuvant immunotherapy in PDAC has not advanced beyond small, exploratory studies. Trials were underpowered, academic-led, and focused largely on vaccine-based strategies, with minimal checkpoint inhibitor evaluation and no definitive phase 3 programs. Adequately powered, industry-supported phase 3 trials are urgently needed to establish effective adjuvant immunotherapy strategies in resected PDAC. Citation Format: Carmel Awadallah, Myer Marc Warshawsky. Carmel Awadallah , MD abstract. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 6436.

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