Cetuximab, Gemcitabine, and Oxaliplatin in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2011-03-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab, can block tumor growth in different
ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and
help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Cetuximab may also stop the growth
of pancreatic cancer by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as
gemcitabine and oxaliplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either
by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving cetuximab together with
combination chemotherapy may kill more tumor cells.
PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying how well giving cetuximab together with gemcitabine
and oxaliplatin works in treating patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic
cancer.