The DEPEND study - version 5
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Early iDEntification of Pancreatic cancer: a study to evaluate the utility of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency as a scrEening tool in high-risk iNdiviDuals (The DEPEND study)
IRAS ID
286297
Contact name
Zaed Hamady
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Can breath and stool tests be used to detect inadequate pancreatic function in patients with pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is regarded as the most lethal cancer as most cases are diagnosed late and treatment options are often limited. There is some evidence that cancer can affect the organ’s function in the very early stages and this study hopes to take advantage of that. It will use breath and stool tests to determine if there is a difference between patients with early, operable pancreatic cancer and healthy controls without cancer. A third group, patients with chronic pancreatitis, will also be included as their restricted pancreatic function would form a good benchmark to determine how accurate the tests are in those with suspected altered function against those with established pancreatic disease.
Cancer Research UK have funded this study, which will involve 25 participants with pancreatic cancer and 25 controls, as well as a small subset of those with chronic pancreatitis. They will arrive at the Clinical Research Facility in University Hospital Southampton whilst starved to undergo baseline blood tests (if pancreatic cancer) and then consume a breakfast meal with stable, non-radioactive labelled isotope present as a lipid (fat). The enzyme lipase is produced in the pancreas and aids digestion of fats and in normal pancreatic function should convert this lipid into carbon dioxide which is then excreted in the breath and detected. The enzyme elastase is also produced by the pancreas and is absent in pancreatic disease. This research hopes to establish if patients with pancreatic cancer have significantly different breath and stool profiles compared to healthy controls, and how different the are to those with chronic pancreatitis. This study hopes to run over a 12-month period.
At the end of it, an inexpensive but reliable way of screening for pancreatic cancer may be established.REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
20/NS/0105
Date of REC Opinion
1 Oct 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion