BACKGROUND: Despite continued investigation, limited progress has been made in 
the adjuvant treatment of resected pancreatic cancer. Novel or targeted 
therapies are needed.
METHODS: Multi-institutional, open-label, dose-finding, phase 2 trial evaluating 
the use of algenpantucel-L (NewLink Genetics Corporation, Ames, IA) 
immunotherapy in addition to chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy in the adjuvant 
setting for resected pancreatic cancer (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, 
NCT00569387). The primary outcome was 12-month disease-free survival. Secondary 
outcomes included overall survival and toxicity.
RESULTS: Seventy patients were treated with gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil-based 
chemoradiotherapy as well as algenpantucel-L (mean 12 doses, range 1-14). After 
a median follow-up of 21 months, the 12-month disease-free survival was 62 %, 
and the 12-month overall survival was 86 %. The most common adverse events were 
injection site pain and induration.
CONCLUSIONS: The addition of algenpantucel-L to standard adjuvant therapy for 
resected pancreatic cancer may improve survival. A multi-institutional, phase 3 
study is ongoing (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01072981).