Moffitt Cancer Center Tested New Chemo Treatment

Patients received a specialized chemotherapy procedure that delivers drugs directly to pancreatic tumors.

Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Cancer

Close-up of a sterile medical catheter resting on a stainless steel surgical tray in a bright clinical environment. — Moffitt Cancer Center's phase three clinical trial for a localized Trans-Arterial Micro-Perfusion chemotherapy treatment showed improved survival rates for pancreatic cancer patients. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa has utilized an FDA-approved Trans-Arterial Micro-Perfusion (TAMP) treatment for pancreatic cancer. An interim phase three clinical trial analysis indicated improved survival rates for those receiving the therapy.

Why it matters

TAMP is specifically designed to minimize side effect toxicity for patients who are often too weakened by previous treatments to tolerate standard chemotherapy. The method overcomes the challenge of delivering drugs to tumors that are not connected to major blood vessels.

The TAMP procedure demonstrated a 65% reduction in adverse events compared to traditional treatments. The American Cancer Society reports an overall 13% five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients based on data from 2015 to 2021.

The players

Moffitt Cancer Center

This Tampa-based research institution is a major center for cancer treatment and clinical trials.

Richard Martin

He is a patient who received the TAMP treatment after being diagnosed with cancer two years ago.

The details

The procedure uses a catheter to isolate the specific blood vessel surrounding a tumor, forcing chemotherapy drugs directly into the mass. This approach effectively targets tumors that are otherwise difficult to reach through systemic drug delivery.

The five-year survival rate data covers the period from 2015 to 2021.
Richard Martin received his initial cancer diagnosis two years ago.

Health Landscape

This development represents a departure from traditional systemic chemotherapy by shifting toward localized drug delivery systems. These findings may eventually bridge the gap between current palliative care and long-term remission for patients with tumors not connected to major vessels.

This treatment offers a new option for patients who have been weakened by prior therapies and can no longer tolerate standard chemotherapy regimens. It provides a specialized route for drug delivery that aims to reduce systemic side effects and improve quality of life during treatment.

The takeaway

Localized delivery methods like TAMP may redefine how physicians treat difficult-to-reach tumors in weakened patients. This approach underscores the importance of targeted therapies in reducing the toxicity burden of modern cancer treatment.