A clinical trial at the Miami Cancer Institute is testing a new chemotherapy delivery system for patients with Stage 3 pancreatic cancer. The device, known as the RenovoCath, delivers medication directly to the tumor site via a catheter to bypass the dense tissue and limited blood supply that often hinder traditional intravenous treatments.
Hernando Salcedo, an 83-year-old patient, joined the trial after being diagnosed with Stage 3 pancreatic cancer in May 2025. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for this stage of the disease is approximately 15%, and surgery was not a viable option for Salcedo. After traditional chemotherapy caused severe side effects, including significant weight loss and inability to walk, Salcedo began treatment with the localized delivery system.
The RenovoCath system, developed by RenovoRX, was first cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2014. The procedure involves placing a catheter with two balloons in the artery closest to the tumor. The balloons isolate blood flow while the device delivers chemotherapy, which Dr. Ripal Gandhi, a radiologist and oncologist, stated reduces the amount of the drug circulating through the rest of the body. Data presented at the 2023 World Congress of GI Cancer Patients indicated that this method resulted in 65% fewer adverse effects and a six-month increase in survival compared to traditional chemotherapy.
For the broader medical community and health care systems, this method sets a precedent for treating cancers housed in dense, poorly vascularized tissue. If finalized, the data could lead to a shift in standard care protocols at oncology centers nationwide. While the RenovoCath system is already FDA-cleared, its specific application and efficacy for Stage 3 pancreatic tumors remain under formal study. A person currently undergoing this treatment would notice the difference in their ability to perform daily activities, such as walking or attending family events, within weeks of switching from intravenous to catheter-based delivery.
The next steps for this technology involve the completion of ongoing research to confirm these preliminary findings. A spokesperson for RenovoRX stated that final clinical trial data regarding the use of RenovoCath for Stage 3 pancreatic cancer is expected to be published in late 2027. Until then, the treatment remains available primarily through participating clinical trial sites. Salcedo’s physicians reported that his cancer has remained stable since mid-April 2026, though long-term outcomes for trial participants are still being monitored.