Identification of Biomarkers for Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer

Michigan Center for Pancreatic Cancer Molecular Diagnosis: The Serum Protein Microarray Project

RATIONALE: Studying samples of blood from patients with cancer in the laboratory may help doctors learn more about changes that may occur in DNA and identify biomarkers related to cancer.

PURPOSE: This laboratory study is examining blood samples from patients with cancer to identify biomarkers that may help in the early detection of pancreatic cancer.

OBJECTIVES:

• Identify specific proteins of interest to evaluate for their potential role as markers for pancreatic cancer.
• Analyze serum proteins directly by mass spectrometry to identify new biomarkers of pancreatic cancer that can be used for early diagnosis.

OUTLINE: Blood from patients is collected prior to treatment. Plasma proteins are analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) and/or electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI/MS).

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 120 patients will be accrued for this study.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

  • Newly diagnosed disease

• Planning to undergo surgery or other treatment for pancreatic cancer at Karmanos Cancer Institute or its affiliates

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Not specified

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics