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Pembrolizumab

Phase 2

Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) | Small molecule | Oncology |Verastem, Inc.|Last Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Success Probability

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Market & Valuation

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Trial Design

RandomizedCONTROLLEDDMCBiomarker
Total Trials1
Total Enrollment28

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

Clinical trial landscape

Pembrolizumab · 1 trial · 2 indications

Phase 2 1
NCT03727880Study of Pembrolizumab With or Without Defactinib Following Chemotherapy as a Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Treatment for Resectable Pancreatic Ductal AdenocarcinomaResectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC)
COMPLETED28 Analytics
PHASE2COMPLETED
Study of Pembrolizumab With or Without Defactinib Following Chemotherapy as a Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Treatment for Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC)Unlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

Pathologic Complete Response (pCR) Rate
4 years

Percent of subjects with a pathologic complete response (pCR) per the tumor regression grade scores established by the College of American Pathologist: Grade 0= complete response (no viable cancer cells), Grade 1= near complete response (single cells or rare small groups of cancer cells), Grade 2= partial response (residual tumor with evidence of regression), or Grade 3= no response (extensive residual tumor with no evidence of regression).

Secondary Endpoints

Overall Survival (OS)
4 years
Disease Free Survival (DFS)
4 years
Number of Participants Experiencing Study Drug-related Toxicities
4 years
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Study Design & Arms

AllocationRANDOMIZED
MaskingNONE
ModelPARALLEL
PurposeTREATMENT

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
Arm A - Pembrolizumab and DefactinibEXPERIMENTAL -
Arm B - PembrolizumabEXPERIMENTAL -

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
PembrolizumabDRUGFollowing standard of care neoadjuvant chemotherapy, subjects will receive two doses of pembrolizumab (200mg) IV 3 weeks apart prior to surgery. After surgery, subjects will receive adjuvant standard of care chemotherapy. Following adjuvant chemotherapy, subjects will receive 8 doses of pembrolizumab (200mg) IV 3 weeks apart.
DefactinibDRUGFollowing 2 cycles of standard of care neoadjuvant chemotherapy, subjects will receive 400 mg defactinib twice a day up until 2 days preceding their surgery (approximately 6 weeks) during the immunotherapy cycles with pembrolizumab. After surgery, subjects will receive adjuvant standard of care chemotherapy. Following adjuvant chemotherapy, subjects will receive 400mg defactinib twice a day for 24 weeks.
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range18 Years to 100 Years
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersNo
Study Sites3

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 years. * Has pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma * Has resectable disease at the time of diagnosis * Has not received any systemic therapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma * Has stage ≤ IIb disease at time of diagnosis and enrollment * Elevated tumor marker, CA (carbo...

Countries:United States
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Frequently asked questions about Pembrolizumab

What is Pembrolizumab used for in resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC)?

Pembrolizumab is being studied as a neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment for resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC). It is given with or without defactinib following chemotherapy. The drug is in Phase 2 clinical development and is investigational, not yet approved for this indication.

What does Pembrolizumab target?

Pembrolizumab targets the PD-1 receptor on T cells. By blocking PD-1, it helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. In the context of resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC), it is being evaluated in combination with defactinib following chemotherapy.

Who makes Pembrolizumab?

Pembrolizumab is being developed by Verastem, Inc., which trades under the ticker VSTM. The company is conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial of the drug in resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

What phase is Pembrolizumab in for resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC)?

Pembrolizumab is in Phase 2 clinical development for resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC). It is an investigational drug and has not been approved by the FDA for this indication. The Phase 2 trial has been completed.

What clinical trials is Pembrolizumab in for resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC)?

Pembrolizumab is being studied in a Phase 2 clinical trial with the identifier NCT03727880. The trial is titled 'Study of Pembrolizumab With or Without Defactinib Following Chemotherapy as a Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Treatment for Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.' It enrolled 28 participants in the United States and has been completed.