Rationale: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a malignancy with a poor prognosis. Resection is the only curative option and still 5-year survival rate is less than 10 percent. However, most patients present with advanced disease and are provided with palliative care. The nature of the tumour and the intense stromal reaction around the tumour cells leave pancreatic adenocarcinoma relatively insensitive to chemotherapeutics. Current models, such as cell lines or patient derived xenografts, cannot provide predictive information in a clinically relevant timeframe. Organoids and organotypic culture systems have emerged as promising new culturing techniques that maintain some of the complexity of the tumour. As most patients are ineligible for tumour resection, this project will focus on metastases and will generate organoids from that tissue. Using a combination of organoids and organotypic systems, treatment (non)response can be predicted, which may provide a personalized treatment setting for patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Rationale: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a malignancy with a poor prognosis. Resection is the only curative option and still 5-year survival rate is less than 10 percent. However, most patients present with advanced disease and are provided with palliative care. The nature of the tumour and the intense stromal reaction around the tumour cells leave pancreatic adenocarcinoma relatively insensitive to chemotherapeutics. Current models, such as cell lines or patient derived xenografts, cannot provide predictive information in a clinically relevant timeframe. Organoids and organotypic culture systems have emerged as promising new culturing techniques that maintain some of the complexity of the tumour. As most patients are ineligible for tumour resection, this project will focus on metastases and will generate organoids from that tissue. Using a combination of organoids and organotypic systems, treatment (non)response can be predicted, which may provide a personalized treatment setting for patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Objective: To develop a model system and infrastructure to individualize the treatment of patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Additionally, we aim to identify predictors of therapy (non)response.

Study design: Observational laboratory studies (with DNA/RNA isolation, RNA sequencing, cell culturing, organoid culturing and xenografting) will be performed with tumour specimens. These organoids will be stored for future research.

Study population: All adult patients (> 18 years) with (a suspicion of) advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Main study parameters/endpoints: The development of organoids from biopsies of metastases or primary tumour tissue of pancreatic cancer that correlate with clinical response. These models are then analysed for the expression of bio markers in organoid, organotypic and xenograft models. DNA/RNA profiles will be correlated to clinical and pathological characteristics such as therapy response, survival and TNM classification.

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: Participating in this study requires a biopsy from the patient. The material will be obtained from the biopsy required for diagnosis or the patient is asked for consent for an additional tumor biopsy not required for diagnosis. The study could benefit patients as their organoids can be used to assess efficacy of first-line treatment and when necessary may provide an advice for second-line treatment options. Additionally, patients may benefit in the future, if biomarkers are found to predict therapy (non)response.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients older than 18 years
• Diagnosed with locally advanced pancreatic cancer or metastatic pancreatic cancer
• Able to understand the information given
• WHO 0-2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unfit for biopsies & blood analyses
• Not able to give informed consent (language, intellectual capacities, etc.)