PTK787 in Patients With Advanced Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Phase II Trial of PTK787/ZK222584 in Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Who Failed First-Line Gemcitabine Therapy.

The purpose of this research study is to find out if an experimental drug called PTK787/ZK222584 might be effective against advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer.

In order for tumors to grow and spread to other parts of the body, they need to have a growing blood supply. Tumor cells have been shown to produce substances that stimulate the abnormal growth of new blood vessels that allow the tumor to grow. In adults, blood vessel cells normally divide very rapidly. It is thought that PTK787/ZK222584 may interfere with the growth of new blood vessels. A drug that interferes with the growth of new blood vessels might stop tumor growth, and possibly shrink the tumor by keeping it from receiving nutrients and oxygen supplied by the blood vessels. Since normal blood vessel cells divide very rarely, it might be possible to stop tumor growth without harming normal tissues.

This is an open-label, phase II multi-center therapeutic trial investigating the efficacy and tolerability of PTK787/ZK222584 in patients with metastatic or advanced pancreatic cancer who failed first line gemcitabine-based therapy. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the 6-month survival rate, time to progression, and tolerability of the regimen in pancreatic cancer patients treated with PTK787/ZK222584 as second-line therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age > 18
• Zubrod performance status of 0 - 2
• Histological or cytological diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma
• Measurable or evaluable disease determined as per RECIST criteria
• Life expectancy > 12 weeks
• Written informed consent
• Patients must have failed or progressed on prior gemcitabine-based therapy for advanced or metastatic disease.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Islet cell or neuroendocrine carcinomas of the pancreas.
• History or presence of central nervous system disease.
• Patients with a history of another primary malignancy < 5 years
• Prior chemo therapy < 21 days prior to registration.
• Prior biologic or immunotherapy < 14 days prior to registration
• Prior full field radiotherapy < 28 days or limited field radiotherapy < 14 days prior to registration.
• Major surgery < 28 days prior to registration.
• Patients who have received investigational drugs < 28 days prior to registration.
• Prior therapy with anti-VEGF agents.
• Pleural effusion or ascites that causes respiratory compromise.
• Female patients who are pregnant or breast feeding.