Namodenoson Shows Safety in Phase 2a Pancreatic Cancer Study

Namodenoson (CF102) demonstrated a favorable safety profile in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in a phase 2a clinical study, meeting the trial’s primary end point and supporting further research of the investigational therapy, according to a news release from Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd.

Results from the open-label study evaluated namodenoson in patients whose disease had progressed following prior systemic treatments. The primary goal of the study was to evaluate the drug’s safety in a heavily pretreated population.

According to the results, namodenoson was very well tolerated and no new safety signals were identified. The safety findings were consistent with previous clinical experience with the drug in other cancer types.

Researchers are continuing to follow patients in the trial to better understand survival outcomes. At the time of the data cutoff, one-third of participants remained alive, although follow-up remains ongoing and additional results are expected to mature over time.

“The favorable safety profile observed in this difficult-to-treat population supports continued clinical evaluation of namodenoson,” Professor Salomon Stemmer, an oncologist at the Davidoff Center, Rabin Medical Center, Israel, said in the news release. “We are continuing to monitor survival outcomes as data mature.”

Namodenoson has also received Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. This designation, according to the FDA website, is given to therapies intended for rare diseases in the United States and is designed to encourage drug development.

Key findings from the phase 2a namodenoson study

The study enrolled 20 patients with PDAC who had received at least one prior line of therapy. Participants had received one or more prior systemic therapies and included individuals with metastatic disease and differing levels of performance status.

Investigators noted that the participants represented a high-risk group, including patients with metastatic disease and varying levels of physical functioning.

Safety served as the primary end point of the study. The trial successfully met this goal, showing that the treatment was well tolerated even in patients whose cancer had progressed after earlier therapies.

Secondary end points included overall survival and progression-free survival. Although those results are still developing, researchers reported that approximately one-third of patients remained alive at the time of the data cutoff.

Additional survival updates are expected to be shared at upcoming scientific meetings as more data become available.

What patients should know about pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer develops when abnormal cells begin growing in the pancreas, an organ located behind the lower part of the stomach, according to the Mayo Clinic Website. The pancreas plays an important role in digestion and blood sugar regulation by producing digestive enzymes and hormones.

One of the major challenges with pancreatic cancer is that it is rarely detected early. Many patients do not experience noticeable symptoms until the disease has already spread to other organs. Because of this, treatment often involves multiple approaches depending on the stage and spread of the cancer.

Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these strategies. Research continues to explore new therapies that could improve outcomes for patients with advanced disease.

How namodenoson works against cancer cells

Namodenoson is an oral small molecule drug designed to target a specific protein called the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR), the Can-Fite BioPharma website explains. This receptor is involved in several cellular processes linked to cancer growth and inflammation.

The drug works by affecting signaling pathways inside cancer cells, including the NF-κB and Wnt pathways. By disrupting these pathways, namodenoson can trigger apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in tumor cells.

Preclinical research has shown that namodenoson has anti-cancer activity against hepatocellular carcinoma and pancreatic cancer, along with anti-inflammatory effects in models of liver inflammation.

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, reviewed by a human editor, but not independently verified by a medical professional.

References

1. “Can-Fite’s Namodenoson Successfully Meets Primary Endpoint in Phase 2a Pancreatic Cancer Study,” by Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. News release; March 4, 2026.
2. “Namodenoson (CF102),” by Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. https://www.canfite.com/category/Namodenoson.
3. “Pancreatic cancer,” by Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatic-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20355421.

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