Measuring convertase levels in pancreatic adenocarcinoma tumors and blood

Convertases and Pancreatic Cancer. New Therapeutic and Prognostic Approach: Cohort of Patients Treated for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (CONVERCAP)

This will test whether measuring convertase levels in tumor and blood samples can help predict disease progression in adults with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Institut Bergonié (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy
• Locations: 1 site (Bordeaux)
• Trial ID: NCT06705335 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This prospective, single-centre observational cohort will collect tumor (primary or metastatic) and same-day blood samples from adults undergoing biopsy or pancreatic/metastasis surgery at Institut Bergonié. Samples will be analyzed for expression levels of convertases and correlated with standard clinical and pathological data. Patients will be followed for two years with routine radiological checks to record first progression and vital status. No experimental treatments are given; inclusion requires available malignant tumor tissue, WHO performance status 0–2, and informed consent.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18) with suspected or histologically confirmed pancreatic adenocarcinoma who are undergoing biopsy or pancreatic/metastasis surgery, have WHO performance status 0–2, life expectancy >3 months, have not received prior systemic therapy, and can give informed consent.

Not a fit: Patients without an available contributory malignant tumor sample, those with benign histology, those who have already received systemic treatment, or those unable to attend the single centre are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, convertase measurements could serve as an additional prognostic marker to help guide clinical decisions and monitoring.

How similar studies have performed: Protease-related biomarkers have shown prognostic signals in pancreatic cancer, but using convertase expression specifically is relatively novel and not yet validated in large cohorts.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥ 18 years.
2. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (suspected on radiological assessment or histologically proven):

   1. Indication for biopsy of metastasis(es) performed as part of standard care for patients who already have a histologically confirmed diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
   2. Indication for pancreatic surgery or metastasis(es) carried out as part of standard care for patients with a suspicion of pancreatic cancer on radiological assessment or who already have a confirmed histological diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
3. Whatever the stage of the disease.
4. Whatever the type of treatment proposed (systemic, surgery, radiotherapy, etc.).
5. Patient who has never received systemic treatment or advanced radiotherapy.
6. WHO 0-1-2.
7. Life expectancy \> 3 months.
8. Free, informed and written consent signed by the participant and the investigator (at the latest on the day of inclusion and before any examination required by the research).
9. Patient affiliated to a social security scheme in compliance with Article 1121-11 of the French Public Health Code.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Indication for biopsy for primary diagnosis of pancreatic cancer
2. No indication for treatment of pancreatic cancer.
3. Adjuvant/neoadjuvant chemotherapy completed less than 6 months ago in the case of patients with recurrent disease.
4. Patient already included in the study.
5. Geographical, social or psychological factors rendering the patient unable to undergo study monitoring and procedures.

Where this trial is running

Bordeaux

• Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center — Bordeaux, France (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Simon PERNOT, Dr — Institut Bergonié
• Study coordinator: Simon PERNOT, Dr

Conditions Pancreas Cancer; Convertases