Innovative Cancer Treatment Brings Renewed Hope for Patient

Hernando Salcedo, 83, noticed unusual swelling in his stomach in May 2025. The otherwise healthy and active grandfather experienced this without a clear cause and sought medical advice. An endoscopic ultrasound and follow-up tests led to a difficult diagnosis: Stage III pancreatic cancer.

Salcedo faced limited options with a mere 15% five-year survival rate for Stage III patients, according to the American Cancer Society. Surgery was not possible, so his only choice was aggressive chemotherapy aimed at extending life. At the Miami Cancer Institute, Salcedo began chemotherapy in July 2025, but suffered severe side effects. He experienced weight loss, became bedridden, and struggled with daily activities.

I’ve never seen my dad in bed for that amount of time, where he can’t even get up, his son Mauricio shared.

During his treatment, Salcedo’s case was discussed by an expert panel at the Miami Cancer Institute. Dr. Ripal Gandhi, a radiologist and oncologist, explained that the panel considered innovative treatments, including clinical trials. Salcedo was deemed a candidate for a trial testing a new chemotherapy delivery device developed by RenovoRX.

The traditional intravenous chemotherapy often fails to effectively reach pancreatic tumors due to dense tissue and limited blood supply. RenovoRX’s RenovoCath system, approved by the FDA in 2014, uses a catheter to deliver chemotherapy directly to the tumor. This method limits chemotherapy exposure to the entire body, aiming to minimize side effects.

According to research presented in 2023 at the World Congress of GI Cancer Patients, the catheter method resulted in 65% fewer side effects and a six-month increased survival rate compared to traditional chemotherapy.

Because you’re isolating the chemotherapy, there is very little drug which is actually going through the body, Gandhi noted.

For Salcedo, the decision to join the trial was simple. His son Mauricio called it “the easiest decision” of their journey. During the trial, participants received standard chemotherapy and radiation before moving to the catheter system. Salcedo was randomized to receive this innovative treatment.

For four months, Salcedo underwent treatment every other week, experiencing a dramatic improvement. He found relief from previous side effects like nausea and pain. “This treatment fixed my life,” he said.

Gandhi noted the success of the treatment for Salcedo and other patients, some of whom achieved outcomes previously considered implausible. The Food and Drug Administration has cleared the device, and further research is set to conclude in 2027.

One year post-diagnosis, Salcedo continues to defy expectations. His cancer has not progressed, allowing him more time with family and opportunities like attending his nephew’s wedding. Despite the harsh prognosis, Salcedo and his family appreciate his improved quality of life.

Mauricio reflected on their experience and their father’s renewed vitality. “What else do you want for an 83-year-old man, other than that he’s happy? That feels like you won the lottery,” he expressed.