Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trials in Chicago, IL

This phase II trial tests how well CPI-613 (devimistat) in combination with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or gemcitabine works in patients with solid tumors that may have spread from where they first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced) or that have not responded to chemotherapy medications (chemorefractory). Metabolism is how the cells in the body use molecules (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) from food to get the energy they need to grow, reproduce and stay healthy. Tumor cells, however, do this process differently as they use more molecules (glucose, a type of carbohydrate) to make the energy they need to grow and spread. CPI-613 works by blocking the creation of the energy that tumor cells need to survive, grow in the body and make more tumor cells. When the energy production they need is blocked, the tumor cells can no longer survive. Hydroxychloroquine is a drug used to treat malaria and rheumatoid arthritis and may also improve the immune system in a way that tumors may be better controlled. Fluorouracil is in a class of medications called antimetabolites. It works by killing fast-growing abnormal cells. Gemcitabine is a chemotherapy drug that blocks the cells from making DNA and may kill tumor cells. CPI-613 (devimistat) in combination with hydroxychloroquine and 5-fluorouracil or gemcitabine may work to better treat advanced solid tumors. Read Less