Developing a blood test for early detection of pancreatic cancer in high-risk patients
Official title: Improving Management of patients at High Risk of Pancreatic Cancer
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11103547 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | February 24, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $653,819 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA299421-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11103547 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a family history of pancreatic cancer or genetic predispositions that increase their risk.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any risk factors for pancreatic cancer may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing blood tests for cancer detection, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Klein, Alison P — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Klein, Alison P
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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.