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Updated June 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 2INTERVENTIONAL

The Miami "EMPIRE" Trial - Eradication of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer With Immuno-Radiation

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

The Miami "EMPIRE" Trial - Eradication of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer With Immuno-Radiation (NCT06843551) is a Phase 2 interventional studying Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer, sponsored by Benjamin Spieler. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

The purpose of this study is to assess if radiation therapy (which uses high-energy radiation to damage or destroy cancer cells) combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (medications that helps the body recognize and attack cancer cells) will be beneficial for patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and continue monitoring side effects. Phase 2 enrolls larger groups (typically 100–300 patients) and produces the first real efficacy signal. A successful Phase 2 readout is what unlocks the much larger Phase 3 confirmatory trials needed for FDA approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

With a target enrollment of 20 participants, this is a small study — typical of early-phase research, rare-disease trials, or pilot studies designed to generate preliminary signal before a larger study is launched.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: 1. ≥18 years old 2. diagnosed by tissue sample (biopsy-confirmed) diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. 3. Microsatellite stable (MSS) disease by pathologic assessment. 4. Patients must have measurable disease as defined by RECIST 1.1. 5. Progression on ≥1 line of systemic therapy. 6. No concomitant therapy with any of the following: interleukin (IL)-2, interferon, non study immunotherapy regimens, cytotoxic chemotherapy, immunosuppressive agents, other investigational therapies, and/or chronic use of systemic corticosteroids. 7. No known infection with human weakened immune system virus (HIV) or active infection with Hepatitis B. 8. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0 or 1. 9. Life expectancy ≥3 months. 10. Patients must have the following lab values obtained \<4 weeks prior to starting protocol treatment: 1. absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1,000 cells/μL 2. white blood count (WBC) ≥2,000 cells/μL 3. platelet count at least 75,000 per μL 4. blood count (hemoglobin) at least 8.0 g/dL 5. kidney function (creatinine clearance) at least 40 mL/min) 6. serum total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) 7. aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) ≤3 × ULN (or ≤5 × ULN in patients with liver metastases) 8. international normalized ratio or prothrombin time ≤1.5 × ULN 9. activated partial thromboplastin time ≤2.5 × ULN 10. absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) ≥1000 cells/μL at baseline 11. At least 1 previously unirradiated lesion amenable to pre-treatment biopsy. 12. No limit on overall numbers of lesions, but liver tumor burden ≤25% of total liver volume. 13. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP): negative serum pregnancy test (within 7 days prior to Day 1 of protocol therapy) ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: 1. ≥18 years old 2. Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. 3. Microsatellite stable (MSS) disease by pathologic assessment. 4. Patients must have measurable disease as defined by RECIST 1.1. 5. Progression on ≥1 line of systemic therapy. 6. No concomitant therapy with any of the following: interleukin (IL)-2, interferon, non study immunotherapy regimens, cytotoxic chemotherapy, immunosuppressive agents, other investigational therapies, and/or chronic use of systemic corticosteroids. 7. No known infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or active infection with Hepatitis B. 8. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0 or 1. 9. Life expectancy ≥3 months. 10. Patients must have the following lab values obtained \<4 weeks prior to starting protocol treatment: 1. absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1,000 cells/μL 2. white blood count (WBC) ≥2,000 cells/μL 3. platelets ≥75,000 per μL 4. hemoglobin ≥8.0 g/dL 5. creatinine clearance ≥40 mL/min) 6. serum total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) 7. aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) ≤3 × ULN (or ≤5 × ULN in patients with liver metastases) 8. international normalized ratio or prothrombin time ≤1.5 × ULN 9. activated partial thromboplastin time ≤2.5 × ULN 10. absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) ≥1000 cells/μL at baseline 11. At least 1 previously unirradiated lesion amenable to pre-treatment biopsy. 12. No limit on overall numbers of lesions, but liver tumor burden ≤25% of total liver volume. 13. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP): negative serum pregnancy test (within 7 days prior to Day 1 of protocol therapy) a. Females of non-childbearing potential are defined as: i. ≥ 50 years of age and has not had menses for greater than 1 year ii. Amenorrheic for ≥ 2 years without a hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy and a follicle-stimulating hormone value in the postmenopausal range upon pre-study (screening) evaluation iii. Status is post-hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, or tubal ligation. 14. Male and female patients of reproductive potential must use effective methods of contraception or abstain from sexual activity for the course of the study through at least 6 months after the last dose of balstilimab and/or botensilimab. See Section 4.11, Contraception. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Liver tumor burden exceeding 25% of total liver volume. 2. Active, untreated central nervous system (CNS) metastases. 3. Active autoimmune disease or history of autoimmune disease that required systemic treatment within 2 years of the start of study treatment (i.e., with use of disease-modifying agents or immunosuppressive drugs). 4. Participants with a condition requiring systemic treatment with either corticosteroids (\> 10 mg daily prednisone equivalent) within 14 days or another immunosuppressive medication within 30 days of randomization. Inhaled or topical steroids, and adrenal replacement steroid doses (≤ 10 mg daily prednisone equivalent) are permitted in the absence of active autoimmune disease. 5. Previous external beam radiation therapy to the liver or radioisotope therapy directed to the liver or any liver embolization. 6. Clinically significant ascites requiring a paracentesis in the last 4 weeks, or clinically significant history of liver failure defined as any prior episode of hepatic encephalopathy and/or any prior history of an elevated serum ammonia level. 7. Partial or complete bowel obstruction within the last 3 months prior to study enrollment, signs/symptoms of bowel obstruction, or known radiologic evidence of impending obstruction. 8. Clinically significant (i.e., active) cardiovascular disease: cerebral vascular accident/stroke or myocardial infarction within 6 months of study enrollment, unstable angina, congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association class ≥ III), or serious uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia requiring medication. a. QT interval corrected using Fridericia's formula (QTcF) of \> 480 ms. 9. Prior allogeneic organ transplantation. 10. Treatment with chemotherapy or targeted therapy within 2 weeks prior to initiating EMPIRE treatment. 11. Persistent grade ≥2 adverse events (aEs) from prior therapy (except neuropathy). 12. Known additional malignancy requiring active treatment. 13. History of non-infectious pneumonitis. 14. Active infection requiring antibiotic. 15. Live vaccine within 30 days of protocol treatment. 16. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 2 (CoV 2) (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine or booster \< 7 days before Cycle 1 Day 1 (C1D1). For vaccines requiring more than 1 dose, the full series should be completed prior to C1D1, when feasible. Booster shot not required but also must be administered \> 7 days from C1D1 or \> 7 days from future cycle on study. 17. History of severe hypersensitivity reaction to monoclonal antibody. 18. Participants with impaired decision-making capacity.

Treatments Being Tested

RADIATION

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy

The radiation therapy (RT) prescription biologically effective dose (BED10) goal for tumor (α/β=10) aims to achieve at least BED10= 60 Gy for a single fraction plan and at least BED10=100 Gy for a multi-fraction plan. This equates to a prescription dose of at least 20 Gy in a single fraction, 42 Gy over 3 fractions, 50 Gy over 5 fractions, and 62 Gy over 10 fractions. Radiation therapy must be completed for up to 10 daily treatments within a 15-day course.

DRUG

Botensilimab

Participants will be receive 75mg of Botensilimab immunotherapy administered via intravenous infusion, every six weeks for up to 4 doses, about 24 weeks. Botensilimab therapy will begin no later than seven (7) days after completion of radiation therapy.

DRUG

Balstilimab

Participants will receive 240mg of Balstilimab immunotherapy, administered via intravenous infusion, every 2 weeks for up to one (1) year. Balstilimab therapy will begin no later than seven (7) days after completion of radiation therapy.

Locations (1)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

University of Miami
Miami, Florida, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT06843551), the sponsor (Benjamin Spieler), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT06843551 clinical trial studying?

The purpose of this study is to assess if radiation therapy (which uses high-energy radiation to damage or destroy cancer cells) combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (medications that helps the body recognize and attack cancer cells) will be beneficial for patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT06843551?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT06843551?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT06843551. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT06843551. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-06-07 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.