Improving treatment for pancreatic cancer using advanced imaging and blood tests
Official title: Optimizing Pancreatic Cancer Management with Next Generation Imaging and Liquid Biopsy
Funded at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-11193860 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new ways to better manage pancreatic cancer by using advanced imaging and blood tests to quickly see how well treatments are working, so doctors can make faster decisions about care and help more patients get the right treatment when they need it.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA256969-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11193860 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, particularly those with nonresectable or metastatic disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with pancreatic cancer who are already in the late stages of the disease with no treatment options may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the management of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) by utilizing next-generation imaging techniques and liquid biopsies. The goal is to provide timely and accurate assessments of treatment responses, allowing for quicker adjustments to therapies and better identification of patients who may benefit from surgery. By integrating these advanced tools, the research aims to improve patient outcomes by ensuring that effective treatments are administered promptly while minimizing unnecessary toxicities from ineffective therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized and effective treatment strategies for patients with pancreatic cancer, potentially improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using advanced imaging and liquid biopsy techniques for cancer management, indicating that this approach could be effective.
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
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Better imaging and blood tests to guide pancreatic cancer care
Using advanced scans and blood-based 'liquid biopsy' tests to find sooner whether treatments are working for people with pancreatic cancer.
-
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Researchers are creating combined blood and body-fluid tests to help find breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and multiple myeloma earlier for people having screening or diagnostic workups.
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Developing a blood test for early detection of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and multiple myeloma
This study is working on a new blood test that can help find early signs of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and multiple myeloma, so patients can get diagnosed sooner and have better treatment options.
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Microbial Dysbiosis and Its Role in Pancreatic Cancer
A doctor-researcher team at Northwestern University is studying how gut bacteria influence pancreatic cancer and its response to immunotherapy to find new ways to help patients.
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A patient-facing look at a project that aims to understand how pancreatic cancer changes its cell identity and what that means for treatment.
-
Exosome-based microRNA biomarkers for early, non-invasive detection of pancreatic cancer
A study to develop a blood test that uses tiny RNA signals in exosomes to detect pancreatic cancer early, aiming to help people at risk or with early disease.
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.