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NCT Number: NCT03568630

Blood Markers of Early Pancreas Cancer

Identifying biomarkers of early pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) could facilitate screening for individuals at higher than average risk and expedite the diagnosis in individuals with symptoms and substantially improve an individual's chance of surviving the disease.

The investigators propose a longitudinal study of subjects at higher than average risk of PDAC in order to generate clinical data and bank serial blood specimens.

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Key information

About this study

Patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have only an 10% chance of surviving 5 years after diagnosis. Most PDAC is advanced and not amenable to curative therapies at the time of diagnosis, owing to lack of symptoms in early disease, nonspecific symptoms when they do develop resulting in a delay in diagnosis. Identifying biomarkers of early PDAC could facilitate screening for individuals at higher than average risk and expedite the diagnosis in individuals with symptoms and substantially improve an individual's chance of surviving the disease.

The investigators propose a longitudinal study of participants at higher than average risk of PDAC in order to generate clinical data and bank serial blood specimens. Participants will include individuals with family history of pancreas cancer, individuals with cystic pancreas lesions or chronic pancreatitis, and individuals with new-onset diabetes. Identifying specific biomarkers - blood markers and/or a clinical "prodrome" - in participants who go on to develop PDAC could improve the diagnostic approach outcomes for patients diagnosed with PDAC.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age ≥19
  • Able to provide written, informed consent
  • Able to attend an in-person study visit in Omaha, NE twice a year to collect blood samples
  • Must also meet criteria for one specific cohort. Participants who meet criteria for more than one cohort are eligible. (The intent being that potential participants must meet the criteria for at least one cohort, but are eligible if criteria are met for more than one cohort)

o New onset diabetes/high-risk pre-diabetes cohort: must meet one of the following criteria: New onset type 2 diabetes diagnosed within the past 3 years, defined as A1c ≥ 6.5%, fasting blood glucose >126mg/dL confirmed on a subsequent day or as diagnosed by a physician High-risk pre-diabetes: A1c >6.3% or A1c >6.0% with fasting blood glucose >110 or 2 hour oral glucose tolerance test between 140-200mg/dL, or taken metformin <3 years

o Pancreatic cystic neoplasm/pancreatitis cohort: must have one of the following diagnoses: Pancreatic cystic neoplasm for which resection, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) or serial imaging has been recommended Chronic pancreatitis as defined by cross-sectional imaging, endoscopic ultrasound, functional testing abnormalities OR as diagnosed by a gastroenterologist

o Inherited risk cohort: must meet one of the following criteria: Two or more blood relatives with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), includes 1st-3rd degree relatives (First - parent, sibling or child; Second - grandparent, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, or half-sibling; Third - first cousin, great grand parent or great grandchild) One 1st degree relative with PDAC diagnosed before age 60; Germline mutation associated with a higher than average risk of PDAC, including but not limited to: Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndromes (BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2) Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (Lynch) syndrome (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2) Familial adenomatous polyposis (APC) Familial atypical multiple melanoma and mole syndrome (CKDN2a, p16) Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (STK11) Ataxia-telangectasia (ATM) Juvenile polyposis syndromes (SMAD4, BMPR1A) Li Fraumeni (TP53) Cystic fibrosis and unaffected carriers (CFTR) Personal or family history which meets clinical criteria for a hereditary cancer syndrome and includes a relative with PDAC (as above)

Exclusion criteria

  • Personal history of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)
  • Currently receiving treatment for a cancer diagnosis (excluding long-term hormonal therapy)
  • Pre-diabetes on metformin for ≥ 3 years

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of pancreas cancer cases diagnosed.

    Time frame: 10 years

    Number of pancreas cancer cases diagnosed.

  2. Biomarkers which may predict early pancreas cancer.

    Time frame: 10 years

    Biomarkers which may predict early pancreas cancer.

  3. Result of MMTT which may indicate type 3c diabetes, which may be a risk factor for pancreas cancer.

    Time frame: 10 years

    Result of MMTT which may indicate type 3c diabetes, which may be a risk factor

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Kelsey A Klute, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

402-559-8500

Suzanne M Wessling, RN, BSN

CONTACT

[email protected]

402-559-1577

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Nebraska

Other

Collaborators

  • National Cancer Institute (NCI)
  • VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System
  • Virginia Mason Hospital/Medical Center

Registry information

Official study title

A Longitudinal Cohort Study to Identify Clinical and Blood Markers of Early Pancreas Cancer

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Jun 26, 2018
Registry last updated
Feb 2, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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