New Clinical Trial Explores Whether Existing Medications Could Expand Surgery Options for Appendix and Peritoneal Cancer Patients
A newly launched clinical trial at Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Cancer Center in Pittsburgh is exploring an innovative approach that could potentially expand surgical treatment options for patients with appendix cancer and other cancers affecting the lining of the abdomen.
The study, called RANDY'S Trial, will investigate whether existing medications can reduce or modify dense scar tissue surrounding abdominal tumors, potentially making surgery safer and more feasible for patients who might otherwise be considered ineligible.
Announced on October 16, 2026, the trial represents a promising new direction in peritoneal cancer research and highlights the powerful role of patients, families, and community advocates in advancing treatments for rare cancers.
Understanding the Challenge: When Scar Tissue Makes Surgery Difficult
For patients with appendix cancer and other peritoneal malignancies, cytoreductive surgery (CRS) can be an important treatment option. The goal of CRS is to remove all visible cancer from the abdominal cavity. In selected patients, CRS may be combined with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC).
However, not every patient is a candidate for surgery.
One challenge is fibrosis, the formation of dense, fibrous tissue that can develop around tumors, particularly following inflammation or previous abdominal surgeries.
This tissue can make surgery more complicated by:
Obscuring the boundaries between tumors and healthy organs.
Making it difficult to safely separate cancerous tissue from surrounding structures.
Potentially concealing cancer cells within dense tissue.
Increasing the risk of injury to nearby organs during surgery.
For some patients, these challenges may limit the ability of surgeons to safely remove cancer.
What Is RANDY'S Trial Investigating?
RANDY'S stands for Repurposed And Naturally-Derived Drugs for the Treatment of Fibrosis in Peritoneal Carcinomatosis.
Led by surgical oncologist Dr. Patrick Wagner and a multidisciplinary team at AHN Cancer Center, the trial will explore whether medications already approved by the FDA for other conditions can be repurposed to help modify the fibrous tissue associated with peritoneal cancers.
Rather than developing an entirely new medication, researchers are investigating whether existing treatments might be useful for a different medical purpose.
The central question is whether reducing or remodeling scar tissue could make cytoreductive surgery possible for more patients.
If successful, this approach could potentially help surgeons more safely navigate affected tissues, remove tumors more completely, and expand surgical eligibility for certain patients.
Importantly, the trial is newly launched. Researchers have not yet demonstrated that this approach improves surgical outcomes or survival. Its effectiveness and safety for this purpose must first be evaluated through clinical research.
A Trial Inspired by a Patient's Legacy
Beyond its scientific goals, RANDY'S Trial carries a meaningful personal story.
The study is named in honor of Lt. Randy Meyer II, a Pittsburgh firefighter who lived with a rare form of appendix cancer for more than a decade.
Following his passing, his wife, Stephanie Meyer, continued their commitment to helping others through The Randy & Stephanie Meyer Spread Goodness Fund.
The organization's annual La Sera d'Oro Gala raises funds to support cancer research, including projects benefiting patients with rare abdominal cancers. In 2025, the event raised $44,000, helping fund the launch of RANDY'S Trial.
This research effort demonstrates how the determination of one patient, combined with the generosity of a community, can help bring promising scientific ideas into clinical investigation.
What Does This Mean for Patients?
For patients with appendix cancer and other peritoneal malignancies, this trial represents an important area of investigation.
Surgical eligibility depends on many factors, including the extent and location of cancer, a patient's overall health, and whether the disease can be safely and adequately removed.
While fibrosis is only one of these considerations, finding ways to reduce its impact could potentially create additional treatment opportunities.
The study also reinforces the importance of evaluation by specialists experienced in peritoneal surface malignancies, particularly for patients who have been told surgery is not an option.
At this stage, RANDY'S Trial is investigating a potential treatment strategy, not an established therapy. Patients interested in learning more should speak with their cancer care team about eligibility, potential risks, and whether clinical trial participation may be appropriate.
Looking Ahead
The launch of RANDY'S Trial is an encouraging development for the appendix and peritoneal cancer communities.
Although further research is needed to determine whether modifying scar tissue can improve surgical outcomes, the study explores an important challenge in the treatment of these complex cancers.
For the Abdominal Cancers Alliance, research like this underscores the importance of continued innovation, specialized care, and patient advocacy.
It also serves as a powerful reminder that progress in rare cancer research is driven not only by physicians and scientists, but also by patients, families, and communities determined to make a difference.
