Tumour Regulatory Molecules in Early Pancreatic Cancer Detection (V3).
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Study of Tumour Regulatory Molecules as Markers of Malignancy in Pancreatic Cystic Lesions (TEM-PAC)
IRAS ID
236870
Contact name
Anthony Maraveyas
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (HUTH)
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose early as it doesn’t usually cause any signs or symptoms in these early stages. Once it reaches a more advanced stage, it is very difficult to treat and survival is poor. Diagnosing pancreatic cancer often requires a number of different tests, some of which can be invasive and uncomfortable. A non-invasive test capable of detecting pancreatic cancer in its earliest stages would therefore increase chances of survival and improve patient quality of life. Cysts found in the pancreas are often not cancerous, but on occasions are found to develop into pancreatic cancer. Detecting changes in these cysts before a cancer develops may provide a good way to find cancer early.\nA set of new laboratory tests have been developed that can be used to measure the levels of different forms of a protein called tissue factor in a sample of urine, while a separate test has been developed to measure a different protein called Endo180. An initial study has shown that the tissue factor tests may serve as a good way to detect the presence of some other cancers, and there is evidence to suggest that an increase in Endo180 expression might be detectable in the early stages of pancreatic cancer, so we now need to see whether these tests are effective in detecting pancreatic cancer.\nIn this study, the different forms of tissue factor will be measured in urine samples and levels of Endo180 in blood and cystic fluid samples from patients diagnosed with cancer, or having investigations for pancreatic cysts, to determine whether the levels of these proteins found in patients can serve as an indicator for pancreatic cancer.\n
REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0736
Date of REC Opinion
27 Apr 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion