Evaluating the Prognostic Capability of ctDNA as a Biomarker in Pancreatic Cancer Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Summary
For patients who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that has not spread outside of the pancreas and nearby lymph nodes. The purpose of this research study is to understand if we are able to detect pancreatic cancer DNA in the blood stream before, during, and after treatment.
Detailed description
Cancer DNA in the blood stream is called circulating tumor DNA or ctDNA. The presence or absence of pancreatic cancer ctDNA in the blood stream may help clinicians to better understand pancreatic cancer behavior in response to specific treatments, like chemotherapy and surgery. Understanding how treatment alters the ctDNA can help future patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The presence or absence of ctDNA or the clearance of ctDNA after treatment may help to guide further treatment decisions for cancer patients after surgery.
Outcome measures
Primary
Number of patients with circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels as not detectable in their blood compared to number of patients with ctDNA detected.
Utilizing Tempus, a commercial laboratory ctDNA genetic profile panel investigators will analyze the number of patients who had detectable ctDNA in their blood prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy who then had no detectable ctDNA after their chemotherapy treatment.
Time frame: 3 months
Secondary
Investigators will look for statistically significant correlations of ctDNA blood levels with clinical treatment responses of tumor grades, CA 19-9 units/milliliter blood level, and radiologic response by RECIST categories of complete response.
Time frame: 12 months
Eligibility criteria
Study locations (3)
Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Kishwaukee
DeKalb, Illinois, 60115
Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Delnor
Geneva, Illinois, 60135
Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Warrenville
Warrenville, Illinois, 60555