NCT06205849 · University of California, San Diego
Intra-tumoral Mitazalimab (CD40 Antibody) With Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) in Locally Advanced Pancreas Cancer
What this study is about
This is a phase I study of an agonistic CD40 antibody (mitazalimab) injected intratumorally at the time of surgical IRE in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Intratumoral delivery has potential to be more effective than systemic (given through a vein (IV)) delivery while decreasing the systemic side effects of immunotherapy.
View original scientific description
This is a phase I study of an agonistic CD40 antibody (mitazalimab) injected intratumorally at the time of surgical IRE in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Intratumoral delivery has potential to be more effective than systemic (intravenous) delivery while decreasing the systemic side effects of immunotherapy. We hypothesize that local delivery of mitazalimab at the time of IRE in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer will be safe, augment the immune effects of IRE, and decrease the risk of recurrence.
Interventions
DRUG
IRE + intratumoral mitazalimab (CD40 antibody) injection
Surgical IRE will be performed using the NanoKnife System with intraoperative ultrasound guidance via laparotomy under general anesthesia. Mitazalimab (CD40 antibody) will be administered 5 minutes after completion of IRE by slow injection into the center of the ablated zone using a small needle. Core needle biopsies of the tumor will be obtained immediately prior to IRE for identification of candidate tumor antigens. Peripheral blood will be obtained immediately prior to and 12 weeks after the study intervention for analysis of systemic immune effects.
DEVICE
NanoKnife
Non-thermal tumor ablation using short pulses of high voltage electrical current delivered using 19-gauge needles placed via laparotomy using ultrasound guidance
Primary outcome measures
Safety and tolerability
Time frame: 12 weeks
Rates of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and treatment-related adverse events (AEs). AE's will be graded by CTCAE v4, including grading for cytokine release syndrome. A DLT will be defined as any treatment emergent Grade 3 or higher AE that is potentially attributable to mitazalimab or the combination of IRE and mitazalimab. Exceptions will include AE's attributable to normal disease progression.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
- Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
- Histologically/cytologically-confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)
- Persons, aged \> 18 years of age, as PDAC is extremely rare in pediatric populations.
- Locally advanced disease that is not amenable to surgical resection. Locally advanced PDAC cases will be identified per the definition developed by the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology\[53\]. Per this definition, locally advanced PDAC is defined as presence of any one or more of the following on CT:
- Occlusion of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and/or portal vein (PV) that is not amenable to resection and venous reconstruction
- Interface between tumor and hepatic artery that is not amenable to resection and reconstruction
- Interface between the tumor and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) measuring \> 180º of the circumference of the vessel wall
- Interface between the tumor and celiac axis measuring \> 180º of the circumference of the vessel wall that is not amenable to resection
- ECOG Performance Status of 0-2
- Have adequate organ function per criteria below:
- Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1.5x109/L
- Platelets ≥ 100x109/L
- Hemoglobin ≥9 g/dL
- Serum creatinine ≤1.5 x ULN OR creatinine clearance ≥40 mL/min (as calculated by Modified Cockcroft-Gault formula)
- Serum total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 X ULN
- AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) ≤ 2.5 X ULN
- A minimum of 4 months of one of the chemotherapy regimens preferred by the NCCN for good performance status patients (currently modified FOLFIRINOX, gemcitabine + albumin-bound paclitaxel, or NALIRIFOX)
- High quality imaging triphasic CT scan contrast-enhanced dynamic MRI of abdomen and either contrast-enhanced or non-contrast CT of chest and pelvis that demonstrate no evidence of metastatic disease within 30 days of enrollment
- FDG-PET imaging (skullbase-midthigh) at any timepoint between diagnosis and study intervention to determine whether tumor is PET-avid and evaluate for extra-pancreatic metastatic disease, as suggested by NCCN guidelines for high-risk patients.
- Tumor amenable to "in situ" (complete) ablation with maximum primary tumor dimension \< 4.0 cm
- For participants able to become pregnant: use of highly effective contraception for at least 1 month prior to screening and agreement to use such a method until the study intervention and for an additional 1 month after the study intervention.
- For participants able to cause a pregnancy: use of condoms or other methods to ensure effective contraception with partner for 1 month after study intervention.
Exclusion criteria
- Pregnancy or lactation
- Known allergic reactions to components of the mitazalimab solution (L-Histidine, trehalose, or polysorbate 20)
- Fever \> 38 degrees C within 14 days of study intervention
- Treatment with another investigational drug or other intervention within 30 days of enrollment
- Prior treatment with a CD40 antibody
- History of severe auto-immune disease
- The presence of metal fiducials or embolization coils within the tumor.
- Prior receipt of radiation therapy to the pancreas
- The presence of implanted metallic cardiac stimulation devices within the chest
- Uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias that prevent synchronization of pulse delivery with the refractory period of the cardiac cycle
- Immunosuppressive doses of systemic medications, such as corticosteroids or absorbed topical corticosteroids (doses \> 10 mg/day prednisone or equivalent) must be discontinued at least 2 weeks (14 days) before study treatment administration. Physiologic doses of corticosteroids (≤ 10 mg/day of prednisone or its equivalent) or short pulses of corticosteroids (≤ 3 days) may be permitted.
- Any medical condition that precludes major abdominal surgery under general anesthesia
- Presence of distant metastatic disease (including positive peritoneal cytology) on staging laparoscopy and/or exploratory laparotomy at any timepoint.
Where
- La Jolla, California
Collaborators
University of California, Los Angeles, National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jun 25, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations