Can Raman spectroscopy improve pancreatic cancer diagnosis?

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Combining osteonectin detection and Raman spectroscopy to improve pancreatic cancer diagnosis

• IRAS ID

  243963

• Contact name

  Jemma Kerns

• Contact email

  j.kerns@lancaster.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Lancaster University

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 9 months, 10 days

• Research summary

  This is an exciting project which combines two techniques to explore new biomarkers for pancreatic cancer: a disease that has a particularly high mortality rate. It has the potential to have high clinical impact.
  There is a clinical need for earlier diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Despite being associated with a high mortality rate relatively little is known about the mechanism of action, which is complex due to the different types of pancreatic cancer, reflective of the tissue heterogeneity. This could be facilitated by Raman spectroscopy on tissue sections, although long-term there is potential for this to be used intra-operatively for the correct identification of safe tissue margins and play a crucial role in reducing morbidity. Furthermore, osteonectin has been explored as a marker for prognosis but could have a role in diagnosis, but warrents further research. We aim to measure the osteonectin in the samples collected.

  The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that Raman spectroscopy can be used to identify biomarkers of disease, and also seek to determine if osteonectin could be used as a biomarker.
  To achieve this we will collect and test the fine needle aspirate samples from individuals who are due to have tests for suspected pancreatic cancer. This project is a collaboration with East Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, as part of the specialist unit for pancreatic cancer. The samples will be sent to Lancaster university for chemical analysis, including using Raman spectroscopy and biochemical analysis.

• REC name

  West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  18/WM/0101

• Date of REC Opinion

  13 Aug 2018

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion