Evaluating Obesity-Mediated Mechanisms of Pancreatic Carcinogenesis in Minority Populations

Summary

This study will evaluate obesity-mediated mechanisms of pancreatic carcinogenesis in minority populations.

Detailed description

This observational study will evaluate obesity-mediated mechanisms of pancreatic carcinogenesis in minority populations consisting of adult males or females, 18 years of age or older, who self-report as African American (AA) or Non-Hispanic White (NHW), and present to the gastrointestinal (GI) clinic, surgery, or endoscopy at a participating Florida Pancreas Collaborative (FPC) site or University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) with a clinical suspicion or diagnosis of a pancreatic tumor. This study will also include patients who have been previously recruited as part of the FPC study. Our central hypothesis is that adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction contributes to malignant transformation, therapeutic resistance, and poor survival among obese AA pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cases and such dysfunction will be characterized by unique biology. The primary objective of this multi-institutional and multidisciplinary translational study is to identify a molecular and imaging profile unique to paired PDAC tumors and AT from AA and harness biological observations to predict therapeutic response and target novel obesity-mediated mechanisms of PDAC development and progression using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo techniques and new combinations of drug agents.

Arms & interventions

• OtherBlood Sample Collection

  Participants will have 40 mL of blood drawn at baseline/pre-treatment. The study team will aim to have this blood collected at the time of standard of care blood draw if possible.

• OtherTissue Sample Collection

  At the time of tissue biopsy or surgical resection (if applicable) pancreatic tumor tissue, fat, tissue from site of metastasis, and cyst fluid (if applicable) will be collected.

• OtherData Collection

  Participants will complete a study questionnaire at baseline that includes medical history, lifestyle, and family history information.

• OtherMedical Image Collection

  Medical images that are obtained during routine care such as computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) and ultrasounds will be reviewed by the study team throughout the participant's medical care.

Outcome measures

Eligibility criteria