High-dose radiation after chemotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer
Tests high-dose radiation therapy in adults with pancreatic cancer that responded to chemotherapy.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: A Study of High Dose Radiation Therapy for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer That Responded to Initial Chemotherapy Treatment
Key facts
- Where
- Montreal and Toronto, CanadaSee the 2 sites
- Phase
- Phase 2
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults with locally advanced pancreatic cancer that has not spread and did not get worse after at least 16 weeks of first-line chemotherapy. They will get high-dose radiation therapy.
- Age
- 18 years or older
- Sex
- All sexes can join
- Disease stage
- Locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) confirmed by tissue or cell tests, no spread (metastases), tumour smaller than 8.0 cm (3.1 in) across at treatment planning
- Earlier treatment
- Must have had at least 16 weeks of first-line chemotherapy for this cancer with no growth or progression, then a break of at least 2 weeks before the trial starts
Main reasons for not taking part
- Cancer that has spread (metastatic disease)
- Earlier radiation to the upper belly that overlaps the new radiation area
- Earlier drug treatment for spread cancer, or still on anti-cancer treatment
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Conditions that rule out high-dose radiation, or MRI problems such as a pacemaker or severe kidney disease
Read by machine on 9 November 2026.
Where in Canada
- McGill University Health CentreMontreal, CanadaTaking people
- Princess Margaret Cancer CentreToronto, CanadaTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University Health Network, Toronto
- Trial code
- NCT06453486
- Record updated
- 16 April 2026
- Original description
The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effect of high-dose radiation therapy after initial chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The main question it aims to answer is:Read full original descriptionShow less
Ablative Radiation Therapy With High Dose Geometric Boost for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Patients Following Treatment Response Evaluation of Standard of Care Induction Chemotherapy (ABLATE): a Phase II Clinical Trial
The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effect of high-dose radiation therapy after initial chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The main question it aims to answer is:
• For patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer that responded to initial chemotherapy (stayed stable or decreased in size), will high-dose RT (radiation therapy) contribute to improving treatment outcomes, enhancing quality of life, or increasing overall survival rates?
Participants will:
* Undergo an optional tumor biopsy. * Be treated with high dose radiation therapy. * Complete quality of life questionnaires. * Donate research blood samples.
Inclusion: Have a histological or cytological diagnosis of LAPC; Have pancreatic tumour <8.0 cm in greatest axial dimension at the time of treatment planning but final determination of eligibility will be based upon satisfying the radiation normal tissue constraints; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤1 (Karnofsky ≥70%); Life expectancy of greater than 6 months, as judged by the investigator; Patients must have had prior first-line chemotherapy for this cancer for at least 16 weeks without clinical or radiographic progression. There should be a washout of at least 2 weeks from first-line chemotherapy and start of therapy on clinical trial; Ability to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent document; Women must not be pregnant or breast-feeding. All females of child bearing potential must have a serum or urine pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy within 4 weeks prior to registration. All breastfeeding women should discontinue breastfeeding prior to study registration.
Exclusion: Patients who have had prior systemic treatment (chemotherapy or any other anti-cancer agent) in the metastatic setting; Prior radiotherapy to the upper abdomen region that would result in overlap of RT volume for the current study; Patients who are currently on anti-cancer treatment including chemotherapy; Patient should NOT be treated with MR-Linac if they have any contraindications for MRI, including presence of a heart pacemaker, (ferrous) metallic foreign bodies, and severe claustrophobia. Patients will be screened and excluded from the study if they have previous anaphylactic reactions to gadolinium and severe kidney disease (glomerular filtration rate < 30mL/min/1.73m2) or acute kidney disease; Metastatic disease at the time of registration; Uncontrolled inter-current illness including, but not limited to: ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements; Any other condition that would, in the investigator's judgment, contraindicate the patient's participation in the clinical study due to safety concerns or compliance with clinical study procedures; Individuals with a history of a different malignancy except if they have been disease-free for at least 2 years and are deemed by the investigator to be at low risk for recurrence. Individuals with the following cancers are eligible if diagnosed and treated within the past 5 years: cervical cancer in situ, and basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin; Individuals with diseases precluding high dose ablative RT (e.g. scleroderma, gastric or bowel ulceration or perforation within the planned irradiated volume); Age<18; Pregnant and breastfeeding women.