Better imaging and blood tests to guide pancreatic cancer care
Official title: Optimizing Pancreatic Cancer Management with Next Generation Imaging and Liquid Biopsy
Funded at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-11331308 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Using advanced scans and blood-based 'liquid biopsy' tests to find sooner whether treatments are working for people with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $544,053 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA256969-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11331308 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are starting or receiving systemic chemotherapy, including those getting neoadjuvant therapy before possible surgery, are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without pancreatic cancer, those not receiving systemic therapy (very early-stage cases), or those unable to undergo advanced scans or blood draws are unlikely to benefit from this work.
What this research studies
You would get cutting-edge imaging along with regular blood tests that look for tumor DNA and markers to track how your cancer responds to therapy. Doctors will compare these new tools with the usual CT scans and CA19-9 blood tests to see which give earlier and clearer answers. Results would be used to help decide whether to change chemotherapy, stop ineffective treatments, or move forward with surgery after pre-surgery (neoadjuvant) therapy. The team will follow patients over time to link test changes to outcomes like tumor control and survival.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This could help people with pancreatic cancer get onto effective treatments faster, avoid ineffective toxic therapies, and better identify who might benefit from surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Early studies using liquid biopsies and advanced imaging have shown promise for detecting treatment response sooner than standard tests, but definitive clinical benefit has not yet been proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Collisson, Eric — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Collisson, Eric
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.