A Screening Program to Improve the Early Detection of Sporadic Pancreatic Cancer in Individuals With a High-Risk of Developing Pancreatic Cancer

Overview

This clinical trial studies a new screening program to improve the early detection of sporadic pancreatic cancer in individuals with a high risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest solid tumors, characterized by a long phase without symptoms followed by rapid progression once clinically evident. Despite advancements in treatment, the survival rate for pancreatic cancer remains low. Research has helped to identify a subset of individuals with a markedly high short-term risk for developing pancreatic cancer, which includes adults aged 50 and older with glycemically-defined new-onset diabetes and an Enriching New-Onset Diabetes for Pancreatic Cancer (ENDPAC) score ≥ 3. However, current practice guidelines do not provide clear pathways for surveillance or early detection. The screening program in this trial combines repeated contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans using artificial intelligence (AI) and blood draws. Contrast-enhanced CT is an imaging technique which creates a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body; the pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine and a contrast agent is used to enhance the images. The images are then reviewed using AI, which may make it easier to spot cancer earlier on the CT scans than with the human eye. Studying samples of blood in the laboratory from high-risk individuals may help doctors understand more about why they may develop pancreatic cancer. This may be an effective way to screen high-risk individuals and improve the early detection of sporadic pancreatic cancer.

Conditions