A New Treatment Pathway for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) continues to challenge clinicians due to its limited response to systemic chemotherapy and the inaccessibility of surgical intervention. A new approach, Trans-Arterial Micro-Perfusion (TAMP™) therapy, introduces a promising option for patients who are not surgical candidates or have poor tolerance for systemic therapy. At present, Moffitt Cancer Center is the only provider of TAMP™ therapy in Florida.

A Targeted, Locoregional Approach

The TAMP™ platform uses the FDA-cleared RenovoCath® dual-balloon catheter to deliver chemotherapy directly into the arterial supply feeding the tumor. By isolating a vessel segment and infusing chemotherapy across the arterial wall, this technique achieves high local drug concentrations within the tumor microenvironment while minimizing systemic exposure.

Because of its minimally invasive design, TAMP™ therapy is performed with moderate sedation in an outpatient setting. Patients typically experience shorter recovery times, less systemic toxicity, and improved comfort compared with traditional intravenous chemotherapy.

Evidence and Early Results

Clinical experience supports TAMP™ as a safe and effective method for localized drug delivery in pancreatic cancer, with early outcomes demonstrating meaningful improvements over standard IV chemotherapy. In patients treated with intra-arterial gemcitabine (RenovoGem®):

• Median overall survival is 16 months vs 10 months with standard IV chemotherapy
• Median progression-free survival is 15 months vs 7 months
• Serious adverse events are reduced by more than 65% compared with control therapy

Preliminary analyses, presented at recent oncology conferences and published in Endovascular Today, demonstrate improved tumor control, reduced toxicity, and potential quality-of-life benefits compared with systemic chemotherapy alone.

Patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer have limited treatment options once surgery is ruled out. Trans-Arterial Micro-Perfusion therapy allows us to target chemotherapy precisely where it’s needed, limiting systemic toxicity and improving tolerance. The early outcomes we’ve seen are encouraging and suggest that localized delivery may help extend survival and maintain quality of life in patients who otherwise have few remaining options.

-Dae Won Kim, MD, Gastrointestinal Medical Oncologist

Florida Access: Multidisciplinary Delivery at Moffitt Cancer Center

TAMP™ therapy is currently available at only a limited number of academic and NCI-designated cancer centers in the United States. In Florida, access is exclusive to Moffitt Cancer Center, where its implementation is supported by a highly coordinated, multidisciplinary model of care.

Delivering TAMP™ requires more than technical capability; it depends on careful patient selection and seamless collaboration across specialties. At Moffitt, medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists and interventional radiologists work together to evaluate each case, determine candidacy and integrate TAMP™ into a broader, individualized treatment plan. This level of coordination is particularly important for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, where timing, sequencing and tolerance of therapy can significantly influence outcomes.

Moffitt’s structure as an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center enables this approach, bringing together high-volume expertise, advanced imaging, and clinical trial access in one setting. For referring providers, this ensures that patients are not only considered for TAMP™ when appropriate but are also supported by a full spectrum of specialized care throughout the course of treatment.

Patient Selection and Clinical Benefits of TAMP™ Therapy

TAMP™ therapy is designed for a specific subset of patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, particularly those who are not candidates for surgery and may have limited tolerance for systemic treatment. Careful patient selection is essential to achieving the best outcomes. This approach may be appropriate for patients who:

• Have unresectable pancreatic cancer confined to the pancreas
• Have not responded to or cannot tolerate systemic chemotherapy
• Would benefit from a localized approach to improve disease control and preserve quality of life

For appropriately selected patients, TAMP™ therapy offers several meaningful clinical advantages, particularly in balancing efficacy with tolerability:

• Targeted delivery that limits systemic exposure while enhancing local therapeutic effect
• Improved safety and tolerability, including for patients with reduced performance status
• Outpatient, minimally invasive procedure with relatively rapid recovery
• Evidence of prolonged survival and reduced adverse events in early clinical outcomes

 Care for Complex Cases

Dr. Dae Won Kim is collaborating with the Interventional Radiology team to provide this novel procedure for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.  Optimal outcomes depend on multidisciplinary evaluation, integrating insights from gastrointestinal oncology, radiation oncology, interventional radiology and surgical experts. This collaboration ensures appropriate patient selection, sequencing therapies, and continuity of care throughout treatment.

Patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer who may benefit from this targeted, minimally invasive therapy should be evaluated early.  For consultation or referral, complete the online form or email Physician.Relations@Moffitt.org