Blood and cyst-fluid tests to spot high-risk pancreatic cysts
Biomarker Validation in Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms
Testing whether blood and cyst-fluid tests can help people with pancreatic cysts detect early pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11184478 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will validate three blood tests and one cyst-fluid test that showed promising early results, using samples collected under rigorous, blinded procedures. They will use samples from people with early-stage pancreatic cancer, patients who had pancreatic cysts removed, and people with larger or main-duct–involved cysts who are being watched over time. The team will compare biomarker results alone and combined with imaging and clinical information to see which approach best separates high-risk from low-risk cysts. Samples and data will be collected at UC San Diego and partner sites following prospective-specimen-collection, retrospective-blinded-evaluation standards.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with pancreatic cysts, including people under surveillance for cysts (for example cysts ≥2.5 cm or main duct ≥5 mm) and patients undergoing cyst removal, are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without pancreatic cysts, those with advanced (late-stage) pancreatic cancer, or those unwilling to provide blood or cyst-fluid samples are unlikely to benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these tests could help doctors find cancers earlier and avoid unnecessary surgery for low-risk pancreatic cysts.
How similar studies have performed: Related biomarker tests have shown promising preliminary accuracy, but larger blinded validation studies like this are still needed.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Simeone, Diane M — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Simeone, Diane M
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 below.