IMMPACT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Clinical validation of a serum protein biomarker signature for the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and cystic neoplasms
IRAS ID
213175
Contact name
W Greenhalf
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
RD&I 5305, Research Governance team, Royal Liverpool Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 29 days
Research summary
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to diagnose and treat effectively. In 2014, approximately 9600 new cases were diagnosed in the UK. Currently, surgery to remove the pancreatic tumour is the best possible treatment, however, only a small proportion of patients are diagnosed early enough to benefit from surgery (for most patients the disease has already spread within the pancreas and other organs, by diagnosis). Consequently, approximately 80% of patients die within one year of a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Earlier diagnosis would increase treatment/surgical options and patient survival. It’s estimated that only 10% of pancreatic cancer patients respond to current chemotherapy drugs. Predicting which patients will respond to specific treatments could improve the benefit patients derive from those treatments.
At the Royal Liverpool University Hospital (a large referral Centre for patients with pancreatic diseases) and the University of Liverpool, we are taking a number of approaches to improve the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer patients. To understand the mechanisms of cancer and characterise potential biomarkers or molecules important in diagnosis, treatment response or as indicators of prognosis, research must be undertaken.
The study we wish to conduct is very important because:
• There are no good biomarkers for pancreatic cancer.
• Biomarkers for this disease are likely to improve diagnosis and treatment or facilitate prognosis.
• Elaborating the cell biology of the tumour cells and surrounding tissue should enhance the opportunities for finding new biomarkers of pancreatic cancer.
The IMMPACT project also aims to perform the clinical validation of a serum biomarker signature for the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma – PDAC). The biomarker signature is based on the world’s most advanced recombinant antibody microarray platform developed at Lund University, Sweden and owned by Immunovia AB (Immunovia).REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0170
Date of REC Opinion
4 Apr 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion