A study looking at urine samples and blood samples to spot pancreatic cancer early (UroPanc)
Cancer type:
Status:
Phase:
This study is collecting urine samples and blood samples to try and identify early signs of pancreatic cancer.
It is for people who might have a disease of the pancreas or who have an increased risk of getting pancreatic cancer.
More about this trial
It is easier to treat cancer that is diagnosed early. This is because it might be smaller and won’t have spread to other parts of the body. But diagnosing pancreatic cancer isn’t easy. There are no accurate tests to spot pancreatic cancer at an early stage.
So, researchers are looking for new ways to spot pancreatic cancer. In this study they are looking at certain proteins called 
in urine and blood.
We know from earlier research that the biomarker test worked. The researchers now need to test this in a larger group of people.
The main aim of the study is to see how accurate and reliable the biomarker test is to find pancreatic cancer earlier.
Who can enter
The following bullet points are a summary of the entry conditions for this study. Talk to your doctor or the study team if you are unsure about any of these. They will be able to advise you.
Who can take part
For those who have symptoms
You may be able to join this group if all of the following apply:
- your GP thinks you have a disease of the pancreas that could possibly be pancreatic cancer. Symptoms might include diarrhoea, back pain, tummy (abdominal) pain, feeling or being sick, constipation or diabetes that has recently been diagnosed.
- you are able to give
informed consent - you are at least 18 years old
For those who don’t have symptoms
You can only take part in this group if you are registered on the EUROPAC study. To be registered on EUROPAC, at least 1 of the following must apply. You have:
- a high risk of developing pancreatic cancer because of
inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) - a high risk of developing pancreatic cancer because you have a family history of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. You must have 2 first degree relatives who have or had adenocarcinoma pancreatic cancer, which is a parent, child, brother or sister.
- 1 family member who has pancreatic cancer. And you have a medical condition that increases your risk of pancreatic cancer. For example hereditary familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM),
Lynch syndrome , Peutz-Jeghers or your family has a gene known to cause pancreatic cancer for example BRCA2, CDKN2A, MLH1, or STK11. Your doctor will know this.
Who can’t take part
You cannot join this study if you:
- have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
- have had or are having chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, a
targeted cancer drug , or immunotherapy for another cancer in the last 5 years. You can take part if you had basal cell skin cancer that was successfully treated.
Trial design
The team need to collect about 3,500 samples in total. These include blood and urine samples. There are 2 groups in this study:
- people who have symptoms that might be pancreatic cancer
- people who don’t have symptoms of pancreatic cancer
People who have symptoms that might be pancreatic cancer
When you agree to join, the team ask to collect information about:
- your medical history
- any medications you take
- results of any recent tests you have had
The team also ask to take a blood sample and a sample of urine for research. The urine sample can be done at the hospital or you can do it at home. If you do it at home, the team send you a kit to collect the sample. This includes a stamped addressed envelope to return the sample.
You then have some tests to diagnose what is causing your symptoms. These are routine tests you would have even if you didn’t join this study. This might include a CT scan or an endoscopic ultrasound. Your doctor can tell you more about these tests and what they involve. The team collect the results of the tests. If you are diagnosed with a disease of the pancreas, they collect information about this and your treatment plan.
They may also collect information about any illnesses or symptoms you have during the study. They may ask to collect more blood and urine samples at:
- 6 months
- 12 months
If you have more tests for the problem with your pancreas the team also collect information about this.
People who don’t have symptoms of pancreatic cancer
The team identify people to take part in this group from the EUROPAC study. This is a registry of people who have a family history of pancreatic cancer or are at a higher risk of developing it.
If you are suitable and agree to join this study, the researchers ask you for a blood and urine sample.
All the samples are kept in a safe and secure place. All personal details are kept confidential.
Hospital visits
You won’t have any extra hospital visits if you join this study.
Side effects
You might have a small bruise where you have the blood tests taken.
Location
Recruitment start:
Recruitment end:
How to join a clinical trial
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Chief Investigator
Professor Tatjana Crnogorac-Jurcevic
Supported by
Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund (PCRF)
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
