Immunotherapy Combo Shows Potential Progress in Some Pancreatic Cancers

A combination immunotherapy approach using Ampligen (rintatolimod) and Imfinzi (durvalumab) showed clinical activity for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, according to a year-end interim update from AIM ImmunoTech. The phase 2 study, known as DURIPANC, is evaluating the treatment in patients whose disease remained stable after standard chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX.

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat, particularly once it spreads. Few therapies have demonstrated durable benefit after first-line chemotherapy. Investigators involved in the DURIPANC study report minimal toxicity and preserved quality of life, offering cautious optimism for a patient population with limited options.

“We know all too well that metastatic pancreatic cancer is a killer. Ampligen has the potential to be a gamechanger in the treatment of this highly lethal and unmet oncological need. Quality of life for pancreatic cancer patients is extremely painful and subject to co-morbidities due to the tumor-induced immune suppressive state. Additionally, other metastatic pancreatic cancer chemotherapies and immunotherapies typically have harsh side effects. However, Erasmus has informed us that the pancreatic cancer patients who received Ampligen have reported meaningful improvements in their quality of life,” Thomas K. Equels, AIM ImmunoTech Inc. CEO, stated in the news release.

“This data sharply focuses our aim on late-stage pancreatic cancers, which killed more than 100,000 people in the American and European Union markets and more than 450,000 people worldwide as recently as 2022. I do not believe there is any other therapeutic in this stage of the pipeline that is producing these types of survival results combined with improvement in quality of life,” Equels continued.

Immunotherapy combination activates immune responses

The DURIPANC study evaluates Ampligen, an immune system modulator, in combination with Imfinzi, a PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor. Together, the agents are designed to activate both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system, which may help overcome the immune resistance commonly seen in pancreatic cancer.

Ampligen works by stimulating innate immune pathways, including toll-like receptor signaling, which can increase immune recognition of tumor cells. Imfinzi helps prevent cancer cells from suppressing immune activity by blocking PD-L1 signaling. Researchers believe this dual mechanism may allow the immune system to better identify and attack cancer cells that previously evaded detection.

According to investigators at Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands, encouraging progression-free survival and overall survival trends observed during phase 1 of the study have continued as the trial advances through phase 2. Importantly, patients receiving the combination have not experienced significant treatment-related toxicity, which is particularly meaningful in a post-chemotherapy setting.

“Researchers are seeing immune system changes that suggest a coordinated activation of innate and adaptive responses – or, to put it more simply, the combination of Ampligen and [Imfinzi] seems to be enhancing the body’s natural immune system. This perceived mechanism of action together with the clinical results supports continued investigation of this combination in post-FOLFIRINOX patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma,” Dr. Casper van Eijck, of Erasmus MC, explained.

Building on prior survival and quality-of-life findings

The DURIPANC trial builds on results from a 57-patient early access program that evaluated Ampligen as a single agent in late-stage pancreatic cancer. In that program, Ampligen was associated with a median survival of 19.7 months, compared with approximately 8.6 months typically reported with standard approaches. Patients also reported improved quality of life, an outcome that holds particular importance for individuals living with advanced disease.

These findings supported further investigation of Ampligen, particularly in combination with immunotherapy. Pancreatic cancer has historically been resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors alone, prompting researchers to explore combination strategies that may enhance immune responsiveness.

Study design and methods

DURIPANC is an investigator-initiated, exploratory, open-label, single-center phase 2 clinical trial conducted at Erasmus MC. The study is expected to enroll up to 25 participants. Its primary endpoint is clinical benefit rate, with secondary and exploratory endpoints including overall survival, progression-free survival, immune system activity and patient-reported quality of life.

Researchers are also analyzing tissue biopsies and blood samples to better understand how the immune system responds to treatment.

To date, 18 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer have been enrolled. All participants had stable disease following FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy. Enrollment is ongoing and that more detailed results are expected to be published later this year.

Patients receiving Ampligen and Imfinzi have consistently reported high quality of life during treatment, a finding that underscores the importance of tolerability alongside clinical outcomes.

References

1. AIM ImmunoTech Reports Positive Year-End Interim Clinical Progress from Phase 2 Study Evaluating Ampligen® (rintatolimod) in Combination with AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi® (durvalumab) for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer, by AIM ImmunoTech Inc. News release; Feb. 5, 2026.

Editor's note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, as your own experience will be unique. Use this article to guide discussions with your oncologist. Content was generated with AI and reviewed by a human editor.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.