Efficacy of ABI-007 Plus Gemcitabine or sLV5FU2 as First-line Therapy in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

To evaluate the combination of ABI-007 with gemcitabine or with LV5FU2.

Gemcitabine alone or the triplet combination of 5FU, irinotecan and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX)are the reference 1st line treatment for metastatic pancreatic cancer.

The aim of the AFUGEM study is to evaluate the efficacy of weekly ABI-007 in combination with weekly gemcitabine or with fortnightly simplified LV5FU2 regimen in terms of progression-free survival in patients with previously untreated metastatic pancreatic cancer.

ABI-007 has been approved for commercialization in 38 countries, including the US, Canada, the EU, Australia, China, India and Korea for the treatment of women with metastatic breast cancer. ABI-007 alone and in combination is being evaluated in a number of cancers, including metastatic melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and other solid tumors. Conditions which are responsive to paclitaxel such as non-hematological solid tumor malignancies are good clinical candidates for treatment with ABI-007.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Signed and dated informed consent, and willing and able to comply with protocol requirements,
2. Histologically or cytologically proven adenocarcinoma of the pancreas,
3. Metastatic disease confirmed (stage IV),
4. No prior therapy for metastatic disease (in case of previous adjuvant therapy, interval from end of chemotherapy and relapse must be \>12 months),
5. At least one measurable or evaluable lesion as assessed by CT-scan or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) according to RECIST v1.1 guidelines,
6. Age ≥18 years,
7. ECOG Performance status (PS) 0-2,
8. Hematological status: neutrophils (ANC) \>1.5x109/L; platelets \>100x109/L; haemoglobin ≥9g/dL,
9. Adequate renal function: serum creatinine level \<150µM,
10. Adequate liver function: AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) ≤2.5xULN (≤5xULN in case of liver metastases)
11. Total bilirubin ≤1.5 x ULN, albumin ≥25g/L
12. Baseline evaluations performed before randomization: clinical and blood evaluations no more than 2 weeks (14 days) prior to randomization, tumor assessment (CT-scan or MRI, evaluation of non-measurable lesions) no more than 3 weeks (21 days) prior to randomization,
13. Female patients must be surgically sterile, or be postmenopausal, or must commit to using reliable and appropriate methods of contraception during the study and during at least six months after the end of study treatment (when applicable). All female patients with reproductive potential must have a negative pregnancy test (β HCG) within 72 hours prior to starting ABI-007 treatment. Breastfeeding is not allowed. Male patients must agree to use effective contraception in addition to having their partner use a contraceptive method as well during the trial and during at least six months after the end of the study treatment,
14. Registration in a national health care system (CMU included for France).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History or evidence upon physical examination of CNS metastasis unless adequately treated (e.g. non irradiated CNS metastasis, seizure not controlled with standard medical therapy)
2. Local or locally advanced disease (stage I to III),
3. Patient uses warfarin,
4. Uncontrolled hypercalcemia,
5. Pre-existing permanent neuropathy (NCI grade ≥2),
6. Known dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency,
7. Concomitant unplanned antitumor therapy (e.g. chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, immunotherapy),
8. Treatment with any other investigational medicinal product within 28 days prior to study entry,
9. Other serious and uncontrolled non-malignant disease (eg. active infection requiring systemic therapy, coronary stenting or myocardial infarction or stroke in the past 6 months),
10. Known or historical active infection with HIV, or known active infection untreated with hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
11. History or active interstitial lung disease (ILD),
12. Other concomitant or previous malignancy, except: i/ adequately treated in-situ carcinoma of the uterine cervix, ii/ basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, iii/ cancer in complete remission for \>5 years,
13. Patients with known allergy to any excipient of study drugs,
14. Concomitant administration of live, attenuated virus vaccine such as yellow fever vaccine and concomitant administration of prophylactic phenytoin