Combination Immunotherapy Plus Standard-of-Care Chemotherapy Versus Standard-of-Care Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Locally Advanced or Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

This is a phase 2, three-cohort (2 randomized and 1 single-arm), open-label study to evaluate the comparative efficacy and overall safety of standard-of-care chemotherapy versus standard-of-care chemotherapy in combination with aldoxorubicin HCl, N-803, and PD-L1 t-haNK in subjects with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer. Each treatment setting (ie, first line maintenance, second line, or third line or greater) will be evaluated independently as a separate cohort.

A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness and Safety of EUS-guided Transluminal Drainage With 'Niti-S SPAXUS Stent'

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided transluminal drainage with 'Niti-S SPAXUS Stent' for the treatment of pancreatic pseudocyst.

Comparison Between Dual Energy/Subtraction CT With MRI for the Identification of Predictors of Malignancy in Cystic Pancreatic Lesions

Cystic pancreatic lesions are increasingly detected incidentally in imaging studies, reportedly in up to 45% of the abdominal Magnetic Resonance (MR) examinations. The majority of these lesions have potential to become cancer, therefore requiring surgery or imaging follow-up to monitor the development of features indicative of malignant transformation. Abdominal MR is the current standard of care for the follow-up of pancreatic cysts (PCs). However, MR is expensive and access is limited, In our institution, more than 35 MR studies for assessment of PCs were performed each month in 2015, placing a significant burden on the health care system that includes contributing to longer MR wait times for other indications.

The investigators will compare MR to two new computed tomography (CT) techniques – dual energy CT (DECT) and Subtraction imaging – with regards to their ability to detect features associated with increased risk of malignancy (enhancing septa and mural nodules) in PCs. For cases where there is disagreement between these 2 CT techniques and MR, histopathology of the surgical specimen or the results of Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) will serve as reference standard.

Using DECT or Subtraction instead of MR for the assessment and follow-up of PCs would save significant healthcare costs and MR slots, which could be released to other indications and to reduce waiting times. Furthermore, if DECT and/or Subtraction imaging end up demonstrating to be superior to MR for this purpose, patients with cystic pancreatic lesions could have a direct benefit.

Surgery Followed by Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Cancer of the Pancreas

RATIONALE: Surgery to remove the pancreas, some of the small intestine, and lymph nodes may be more effective treatment for cancer of the pancreas than surgery to remove the pancreas and some of the small intestine alone. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy may be an effective treatment for cancer of the pancreas.

PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to compare the effectiveness of surgery to remove the pancreas and a portion of the small intestine with or without removing lymph nodes, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy, in treating patients with cancer of the pancreas.

Establishment of Radiomics Database by Clinical Application of Multiparametric MRI Based on Incoherent Undersampling

This study aims to establish radiomics database for pancreas cancer from multiparametric MRI including DCE-MRI obtained by using incoherent undersampling and radial acquisition for clinical staging as well as quantitative analysis.

Biological Therapy in Treating Patients With Metastatic Cancer

RATIONALE: Biological therapies use different ways to stimulate the immune system and stop cancer cells from growing.

PURPOSE: Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of biological therapy in treating patients who have metastatic cancer that has not responded to previous treatment.

Autologous Redirected RNA Meso CAR T Cells for Pancreatic Cancer

This is a Phase I safety and feasibility study. Subjects will be enrolled serially. For subject safety, the preceding subject must have completed one cycle of therapy (28 days) before the next subject can be treated. Subjects will be treated with i.v. administration of 1 to 3e8 per meter squared RNA CAR T cells three times weekly (M-W-F) for three weeks.

Evaluation of EUS-Guided 22 Gauge Core Biopsy Versus Fine-needle Aspiration for Suspected Pancreatic Neoplasms

We aim to compare the efficacy (diagnostic yield), ease of use, and technical success rates of EUS guided 22 gauge fine needle aspiration to core biopsy in the evaluation of pancreatic tumors. The experimental hypothesis is that FNA will have superior overall diagnostic yield than core biopsy.

Low-dose Radiotherapy Plus Chemotherapy With Gem-based Doublets and Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Aim of this study is to evaluate if low-dose radiotherapy (LDR) can intensify local effect of a chemotherapy regimen with Gem-based doublets administered sequentially with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and to assess the safety and efficacy of this combined treatment on patients affected by locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LAPC).

Vorinostat Plus Radiation Therapy in Pancreatic Cancer

Primary Endpoint:

To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of vorinostat + radiation therapy (RT) in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC).

Secondary Endpoints:

1. To assess the efficacy of vorinostat + RT in patients with LAPC as estimated by median overall survival.
2. To determine the radiological response as assessed by regular computer tomography (CT) and/or dynamic contrast enhanced computer tomography (DCE-CT) among patients treated with vorinostat and RT.
3. To evaluate the occurrence of symptoms and correlate to disease progression and tolerance to treatment using the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Gastrointestinal Module (MDASI-GI) self-reporting tool.
4. To correlate serum cytokine levels with symptoms and treatment outcomes.