Developing a blood test for early detection of pancreatic cancer in high-risk patients

Improving Management of patients at High Risk of Pancreatic Cancer

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11103547

This study is working on a new blood test called PancSEEK to help people at high risk for pancreatic cancer get diagnosed earlier and more accurately, making it easier to create personalized care plans for them.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-11103547 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to improve the early detection of pancreatic cancer by creating a blood-based test specifically designed for individuals at high risk. Currently, existing methods like endoscopic ultrasound and MRI are expensive and not always effective. The study will utilize advanced techniques to develop a highly sensitive and specific blood test called PancSEEK, which will be combined with imaging and genetic data to better assess individual risk. By integrating these diverse data sources, the research seeks to provide personalized management plans for patients at higher risk of pancreatic cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a family history of pancreatic cancer or genetic predispositions that increase their risk.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have any risk factors for pancreatic cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier and more accurate detection of pancreatic cancer, improving outcomes for high-risk patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in developing blood tests for cancer detection, suggesting that this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.