Clinical Trials

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histologically or cytologically proven diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas within 45 days prior to registration
• Tumor diameter ≤ 7 cm
• Unresectable by radiographic criteria (pancreas protocol computed tomography [CT] or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) or exploration within 30 days prior to registration
• A cell block or core biopsy must be submitted for central review and analysis of SMAD4 status as soon as possible following registration
• No distant metastases, based upon the following minimum diagnostic workup:
  • History/physical examination within 30 days prior to registration
  • Whole body fludeoxyglucose F 18 (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/CT within 30 days prior to registration
    • NOTE: If whole-body FDG-PET/CT is not performed, CT of the chest and CT (or MRI) of abdomen and pelvis must be obtained (imaging of abdomen and pelvis need not be repeated if already included in pancreas protocol study)
• Zubrod performance status 0-1 within 30 days prior to registration
• Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,500 cells/mm^3
• Platelets ≥ 100,000 cells/mm^3
• Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 g/dl (NOTE: The use of transfusion or other intervention to achieve hemoglobin [Hgb] ≥ 8.0 g/dl is acceptable)
• Cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9); NOTE: in the event that a stent has been placed and biliary obstruction has been relieved, the CA19-9 should be drawn post stent placement
• Creatinine < 2 mg/dl
• Bilirubin < 2 mg/dl - Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤ 2.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Patient must provide study specific informed consent prior to study entry
• Women of childbearing potential and male participants must practice adequate contraception during protocol treatment and for at least 6 months following treatment
• For females of child-bearing potential, negative serum pregnancy test within 30 days prior to registration

Exclusion Criteria:

• More than one primary lesion
• Prior invasive malignancy (unless disease free for a minimum of 1095 days [3 years]); non-melanomatous skin cancer and previous early prostate cancer that had a non-rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) are eligible
• Prior systemic anti-cancer therapy for pancreatic cancer; note that prior chemotherapy for a different cancer is allowable
• Prior radiation therapy to the abdomen that would result in overlap of radiation therapy fields
• Severe, active co-morbidity, defined as follows:
  • Unstable angina and/or congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization within the last 6 months
  • Transmural myocardial infarction within the last 6 months
  • Acute bacterial or fungal infection requiring intravenous antibiotics at the time of registration
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation or other respiratory illness requiring hospitalization or precluding study therapy within 30 days before registration
  • Hepatic insufficiency resulting in clinical jaundice and/or coagulation defects; note, however, that laboratory tests for liver function and coagulation parameters are not required for entry into this protocol
  • Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) based upon current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) definition; note, however, that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing is not required for entry into this protocol; protocol-specific requirements may also exclude immuno-compromised patients
• Pregnancy or women of childbearing potential, women who cannot discontinue breastfeeding and men who are sexually active and not willing/able to use medically acceptable forms of contraception
• Prior allergic reaction to the study drug(s) involved in this protocol
• Pre-existing grade 2 or greater neuropathy
• Distant metastases