A Phase 2 Single Arm Trial of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Followed by Dual Immune Checkpoint Inhibition for Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma - The Miami "EMPIRE" Trial - Eradication of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer With Immuno-Radiation

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Investigational drug late phase More information Active drug More information Moderate burden on patient More information

Trial Details

Sponsor: Benjamin Spieler (other)

Phase: 2

Start date: June 18, 2025

Planned enrollment: 20

Trial ID: NCT06843551
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More trial details at ClinicalTrials.gov More info

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Investigational Drug AI Analysis

chevron Show for: Balstilimab (AGEN2034, BAL)

chevron Show for: Botensilimab (AGEN1181, BOT)

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Goal: To evaluate whether stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) followed by dual immune checkpoint inhibition with botensilimab (anti–CTLA-4) and balstilimab (anti–PD-1) provides clinical benefit for patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) after progression on prior systemic therapy.

Patients: Adults (≥18 years) with histologically or cytologically confirmed metastatic PDAC that is microsatellite stable, ECOG 0–1, with measurable disease per RECIST 1.1, progression on at least one prior systemic regimen, adequate organ function, life expectancy ≥3 months, at least one previously unirradiated lesion amenable to pre-treatment biopsy, and liver tumor burden ≤25%. Key exclusions include active/untreated CNS metastases, significant autoimmune disease or immunosuppression, prior liver-directed radiation/embolization, significant ascites or hepatic failure, recent bowel obstruction, significant cardiovascular disease, ongoing infections, and prior allogeneic transplant.

Design: Single-arm, phase 2, non-randomized treatment study with planned enrollment of 20 participants. Primary purpose is therapeutic. Responses will be assessed with iRECIST, with follow-up for survival up to 5 years.

Treatments: Participants receive SBRT followed by combination immunotherapy: botensilimab for up to 24 weeks with balstilimab for up to one year. Botensilimab is an investigational, Fc-enhanced anti–CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody engineered to augment T-cell priming, deplete intratumoral Tregs, activate myeloid cells, and reduce complement-mediated toxicity through diminished C1q binding. In early-phase trials, particularly when combined with the PD-1 inhibitor balstilimab, botensilimab has shown activity across multiple solid tumors including MSS colorectal cancer, with objective responses and prolonged overall survival in select cohorts. Balstilimab is a fully human IgG4 anti–PD-1 antibody that blocks PD-1 interaction with PD-L1/PD-L2 to enhance T-cell effector function; it has demonstrated antitumor activity in cervical cancer and is being developed broadly in combination strategies, notably with botensilimab.

Outcomes: Primary outcome is clinical benefit rate (CR, PR, or stable disease) by iRECIST up to 15 months. Secondary outcomes include objective response rate by iRECIST up to 15 months, progression-free survival from start of radiation to progression or death up to 5 years, overall survival from start of radiation up to 5 years, and incidence of grade ≥3 adverse events per CTCAE v5.0 up to 15 months.

Burden on patient: Moderate. Participants will undergo SBRT, pre-treatment biopsy of at least one lesion, and serial imaging for iRECIST assessments, along with regular clinic visits and laboratory monitoring for immune-related adverse events. Dual checkpoint blockade can necessitate prompt evaluation and management of toxicities (e.g., colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies), increasing visit and lab frequency compared with standard follow-up. There are no intensive pharmacokinetic blood draws, but the combination therapy period of up to one year and survival follow-up to five years imply recurrent travel for infusions, scans, and safety checks.

Last updated: Oct 2025

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University of Miami

Miami, Florida, 33136, United States

[email protected] / 305-243-4229

Status: Recruiting

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