Mapping Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary abnormalities

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  In-Depth Characterisation of Biliary Strictures and Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Focal Lesions for Development of New Technologies to Tackle Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Cancers

• IRAS ID

  338833

• Contact name

  Guru Aithal

• Contact email

  guru.aithal@nottingham.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Nottingham

• Duration of Study in the UK

  5 years, 0 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  Abnormalities in the bile duct and connected liver, pancreas and gallbladder (Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary system) need detailed medical assessment to identify and treat any that can become cancers, at an early stage. However, it is difficult to collect sufficient tissue samples from these areas for extensive testing. The abnormalities can cause the bile duct to become narrow, so any current medical instruments have difficulty reaching the area. This exploratory study is designed to improve detection of cancers in the bile duct, liver, pancreas and gallbladder by developing new tests and potential treatments.
  This research aims to analyse tissue, blood and cyst/bile fluids using exploratory stage imaging and analytical technologies that could be incorporated into a medical device in the future. This analysis can create a map of the tissue to highlight different areas and can show the tissue characteristics. Analysis of the DNA can also provide information about the tissue. We will try to find markers that can indicate when there is a tumour. This information can then be used to decide how best to treat or monitor the abnormality.
  We are also building a super-slender robot and ultra-thin endoscope with capability to access the bile duct and pancreas to assess abnormalities/cysts. A technology which uses electrical stimulation to activate nanoparticles that can then release substances to kill cancer cells is also in development. These technologies will be tested using tissue samples left over after removal during routine surgeries. Our goal is to develop new approaches that can be used to improve early diagnosis of bile duct, liver and pancreatic cancers by identifying new indicators of different cancer types and creating diagnostic tools to access the affected areas. New treatments such as stents (scaffolds that fit inside ducts) with coatings that can destroy cancer cells or targeted treatments specific for tumour types could also improve survival and quality of life
  

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  25/YH/0093

• Date of REC Opinion

  29 May 2025

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion