study of neo-adjuvant ro7009789 alone or neo-adjuvant ro7009789 plus nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine followed by adjuvant ro7009789 plus nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine for patients with newly diagnosed resectable pancreatic carcinoma

Conditions: Pancreatic Cancer

Summary: the main purpose of this study is to learn if adding the investigational drug ro7009789 (anti-cd40) to nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine both before surgery and after surgery is safe, feasible, and beneficial to patients with pancreatic cancer. this study also intends to look at blood and tissue samples to help doctors better understand the role of the immune system in fighting cancer.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * histological documentation of primary adenocarcinoma of the pancreas * surgically eligible for tumor resection with curative intent * age ≥18 years * ecog ps 0 or 1 * adequate bone marrow function (anc ≥1,500; hgb \>9; plt \>100) * adequate renal function (cr \<1.5 uln) * total bilirubin ≤1.5 x uln; and alanine aminotransferase (alt) and aspartate aminotransferase (ast) \<2.5 x uln (values post biliary stenting allowed for eligibility). * signed, written informed consent exclusion criteria: * non ductal adenocarcinomas, neuroendocrine neoplasms, cystic tumors of the pancreas such as cystadenomas, cystadenocarcinomas and solid pseudopapillary neoplasms. in addition, adenocarcinomas arising from duodenum, distal bile duct, and ampulla will also be excluded. * patients with m1 disease or a history of m1 disease. * patients with any type of recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma * prior therapy such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy or anti-tumor experimental therapy for pancreatic cancer * previous treatment with any other compound that targets cd40 * concurrent treatment with any anticancer agent outside of this protocol * prior allogeneic bone marrow transplant * history of autoimmune disorder, including type 1 diabetes mellitus, pemphigus vulgaris, systemic mastocytosis, systemic lupus erythromatosis, dermatomyositis/polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, sjörgen's syndrome, vasculitis/arteritis, behcet's syndrome, autoimmune thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis, or uveitis,. (vitiligo is allowed) * history (within the previous year) of stroke or transient ischemic attack, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure * history of deep venous thrombosis or migratory thrombophlebitis (trousseau); * hereditary or acquired coagulopathies (e.g., hemophilia, von willebrand disease, or cancer-associated dic) * prior allergic reactions attributed to other monoclonal antibodies * concurrent or planned concurrent treatment with systemic high dose (immunosuppressive) corticosteroids or treatment with systemic corticosteroids within 4 weeks of baseline * treatment on another therapeutic clinical trial within 4 weeks of enrollment in this trial * concurrent or planned concurrent treatment with anticoagulants such as coumadin or heparin, except to maintain patency of in-dwelling catheters * ongoing or active infection; treatment with systemic antibiotics or antifungals for ongoing or recurrent infection (topical use of antibiotics or antifungals is allowed) * pregnancy or breast-feeding - female patients must be surgically sterile, be post-menopausal, or must agree to use effective contraception during the period of therapy and for 90 days following the last dose of ro7009789. all female patients with reproductive potential must have a negative pregnancy test prior to enrollment. women or men of reproductive potential may not participate unless they agree to use an effective contraceptive method. female patients should not become pregnant while participating in this research study or for 90 days following therapy. male patients should not father a child while in this research study or for 90 days following therapy. * other uncontrolled, concurrent illness that would preclude study participation; or, psychiatric illness or social challenges that would entail unreasonable risk or preclude informed consent or compliance with study procedures