Blood Markers of Early Pancreas Cancer

About the Study

The purpose of this study is to try to find markers of early pancreatic cancer for individuals at higher-than-average risk, expedite the diagnosis in individuals with symptoms, and substantially improve an individual's chance of surviving the disease. 

What the Study Entails

Each study participant will undergo blood tests that measure a blood sugar marker called Hemoglobin A1c as well as other markers. The blood samples are frozen until the end of the study and will be researched at that time. 

Participants may include people at high risk for pancreatic cancer due to the following: 

• people with family history of pancreas cancer or an inherited mutation linked to pancreatic cancer risk, including the following: BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2,  APC, CKDN2a, p16, STK11, ATM, SMAD4, BMPR1A, TP53, CFTR or Lynch syndrome (EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2).
• people with cystic pancreas lesions or chronic pancreatitis.
• people with new-onset diabetes.   

Study participants will be followed for five years.

Study Site

• Omaha, Nebraska
  Nebraska Medical Center
  Contact: Suzanne Wessling, RN by phone: 402-559-1577 or by email: suzanne.wessling@unmc.edu      

Men and women age 19 years or older can be considered for enrollment in this study if they meet one of the following criteria:

• Have new onset type 2 diabetes, or are considered high-risk pre-diabetes
• Have pancreatic neoplasms (abnormal growths) or pancreatitis
• Have family history of pancreatic cancer or have an increased risk due to an inherited mutation in any one of the following genes: BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, APC, CKDN2a, p16, STK11, ATM, SMAD4, BMPR1A, TP53, CFTR

• Patients with a personal history of pancreatic cancer
• Patients who are currently receiving treatment for a cancer diagnosis (excluding long-term hormonal therapy)
• Patients who are pre-diabetic and taking metformin for 3 or more years