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Pancreatic CancerOctober 2023Summary reviewed June 2026

What the NAPOLI 3 Trial Found — NALIRIFOX for Pancreatic Cancer

Researchers tested a combination treatment called NALIRIFOX against a standard treatment in 770 people with pancreatic cancer that had spread. People who got NALIRIFOX lived about two months longer on average.

What the trial was testing

The NAPOLI 3 enrolled 770 patients with pancreatic cancer. The study was sponsored by Ipsen and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.

It was a large trial designed to confirm whether the treatment works well enough for wider use. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.

What the results showed

People who got NALIRIFOX lived 11.1 months on average, compared to 9.2 months with standard treatment.

Lancet (London, England) · 2023 · NCT04083235

These findings — that people lived nearly two months longer with NALIRIFOX than standard treatment — were published in the Lancet (London, England) and represent the headline result of the study.

Researchers tracked outcomes across 770 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.

What this means for patients

For patients with pancreatic cancer, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.

What you can do now

NALIRIFOX is FDA-approved for metastatic pancreatic cancer. It combines four drugs given through an IV every two weeks. The trial showed it helped people live longer than another common treatment. Talk to your oncologist about whether NALIRIFOX is right for your situation.

Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.