A multi-centre, open label Phase I/ randomised Phase II study of VP-002, a C-C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1) inhibitor, given orally in combination with nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine (nPG) to patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

A new drug, VP-002, is being tested in combination with standard chemotherapy to see if it can extend survival for people with metastatic pancreatic cancer. This matters because pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to treat, and current chemotherapy alone offers limited survival gains. The tumour's microenvironment—the surrounding tissue and immune cells—often shields it from treatment. VP-002 targets a receptor called CCR1 on immune cells, aiming to alter that microenvironment and make the tumour more vulnerable to chemotherapy. If the trial succeeds, it could provide a new treatment option for a cancer with few effective therapies. The study is split into two phases: Phase I will test safety and find the right dose in about 30 patients; Phase II will compare survival, tumour response, and quality of life in 96 patients receiving the combination versus chemotherapy alone. The research is directly translational—it tests a specific drug in humans, with the immediate goal of improving outcomes for patients who currently have very poor prognoses.