Chemotherapy combined with your own stem cells for advanced pancreatic and breast cancer

Plain-English translation of NCT04150042 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated January 2026 · Translation generated July 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 1 — Testing in a small group (usually 20–80 people) to find a safe dose and watch for side effects.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether — a chemotherapy drug — works better when combined with vitamins B12b and C, along with (another chemotherapy), and infusions of your own stem cells. The goal is to help people with advanced pancreatic or breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. The study believes that adding your own stem cells may help your body tolerate the medication and fight back against cancer cells that have become resistant to chemotherapy.

Advanced pancreatic and breast cancers often become resistant to standard chemotherapy, making them very difficult to treat. This trial is exploring whether this medication combination, supported by stem cell infusions, can overcome that resistance and offer a new path forward for patients with these aggressive cancers.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 18 years or older
you have been diagnosed with stage IV (advanced, metastatic) pancreatic or breast cancer
you are expected to live at least 6 months, as determined by your doctor
you have a functional status score (Karnofsky) of 60% or higher, meaning you can carry out most of your daily activities
you have not received chemotherapy within the 2 weeks before enrollment
you either have specific genetic mutations (BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2) or you have received at least 16 weeks of platinum-based first-line chemotherapy without evidence of treatment failure

You likely don't qualify if…

you have life expectancy severely limited by other serious diseases besides cancer
you have received chemotherapy within 2 weeks of enrollment
your cancer has shown signs of rapid growth or treatment failure during or shortly after your most recent prior chemotherapy
you have not healed adequately from prior surgery (must be at least 28 days post-op with wounds healed and complications resolved)
your cancer is HER2-positive (for breast cancer patients) or does not fit the specified histological types

What participation looks like

First, your doctors will collect stem cells from your bone marrow using medications to mobilize them, then remove them through a special blood collection process. You will then receive two cycles of treatment, each approximately 6 weeks apart. In each cycle, you receive the medication combination on day −2, and on day 0 your collected stem cells are infused back into your body. Throughout the process, you will receive supportive care to help manage side effects. The trial team will monitor you closely before, during, and after each treatment cycle.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 3, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(2 sites)

United States

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York