New biomarker identification of pancreatic cancer to improve diagnosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Can new biomarkers be identified for pancreatic cancer to improve diagnosis?
IRAS ID
230224
Contact name
Jemma Kerns
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 22 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.
The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that Raman spectroscopy can be used to identify biomarkers of disease.
To achieve this will test the samples that have been collected for routine histopathology analysis as part of diagnosis and treatment management. This project is a collaboration with East Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, as part of the specialist unit for pancreatic cancer. This project is also linked to a hospital in Athens, who already have ethical approval for the collection of samples for research. The samples will be sent to Lancaster university for further analysis using Raman spectroscopy and biochemical analysis.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/YH/0283
Date of REC Opinion
29 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion