Mark J. Truty, M.D., M.S.

The purpose of this study is to assess the ability to successfully create numerous validated patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models from patient tumor specimens obtained at surgery/biopsy via the new Pathology/TRAG cryopreservation protocol, and to generate a large catalog and repertoire of previously unavailable histologically validated PDX.

The purpose of this study is to assess the best 2-year overall survival when comparing fluorouracil, irinotecan hydrochloride, and oxaliplatin (combination chemotherapy) to gemcitabine hydrochloride and nab-paclitaxel, given before surgery for treating patients who have pancreatic cancer that can be removed by surgery. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as fluorouracil, irinotecan hydrochloride, oxaliplatin, gemcitabine hydrochloride, and nab-paclitaxel, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving more than one drug (combination chemotherapy) may kill more tumor cells. It is not yet known whether combination chemotherapy is more effective than gemcitabine hydrochloride and nab-paclitaxel before surgery for treating pancreatic cancer.

To determine whether the microbiome, metagenome and metabolome of the tissue of the second portion of duodenum of patients with pancreatic cancer are different from that of patients with benign conditions not affecting the pancreas.