PanDA | Pancreatic cancer Dietary Assessment study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Prospective observational study of prevalence, assessment and treatment of pancreatic insufficiency in patients with pancreatic malignancies.
IRAS ID
_194255
Contact name
Juan W Valle
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
CFTSp109, Christie sponsor reference ; 15_DOG03_309, Christie project ID
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The pancreas makes enzymes to digest food into smaller molecules, which the body absorbs. A pancreatic tumour can physically prevent these enzymes leaving the pancreas, which results in dramatic weight loss. Patients with pancreatic cancer need to be reasonably well to have therapy; sudden weight loss can make patients either too unwell to start, or to continue treatment.
Early identification of patients at risk of malnutrition, followed by timely intervention, would avoid or slow the downward spiral in patient health. The best treatment currently for this problem, called pancreatic enzyme insufficiency is Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy. Currently this is either prescribed too late to be helpful, or given to some patients who would not benefit from it.
We need to be better informed about weight loss and its effect on patients with pancreatic malignancies (both pancreatic cancer and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours). In this 2-step observational study we will ask patients questions to gauge the extent of this issue.
To find the best way to identify patients who need dietary intervention, we will use a carefully selected set of blood tests and a commonly used faecal elastase test to see whether this is as good at diagnosing this problem, as a more complex, involved breath-test process.
This study will be run by a research dietician embedded with the clinical team at The Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and was developed through the Pancreatic Subgroup of the National Cancer Research Institute. Funding is from generous donations from Pancreatic Cancer UK and The NET Patient Foundation.REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EE/0123
Date of REC Opinion
18 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion