The Jreissati Family Pancreatic Centre at Epworth will lead research studies and clinical trials covering every phase of patient diagnosis, treatment and care. The goal is to improve patient outcomes and quality of life for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Clinical trials are vital if we are to improve the survival rate for patients with pancreatic cancer. But what are they?

Need help?

Talk to our pancreatic nurse coordinator 

Your pancreatic nurse coordinator will be your first point of contact during your treatment journey at Epworth. They will be able to provide answers to any questions that your or your family may have.
Request form

Request for support for a clinical research study 

GP referral

Get referred

Once referred to the Jreissati Family Pancreatic Centre at Epworth, you will have an appointment to see one of our experienced specialists within 72 hours.

Clinical trials can be observational studies that involve collecting data on a disease's history to better understand it. They can also be interventional to determine whether an experimental treatment is safe and effective. The main goal of clinical trials is to see if discoveries made during the research phase are better than current treatment options.

For clinical trials, volunteer participation is essential. Results from trials will help determine if new treatments for pancreatic cancer work and if there are side effects. They're also an effective way for patients to gain access to the latest treatment options. Participation leads to advances in research, better treatments, and better patient outcomes.

When deciding if you want to take part in a clinical trial, you need to be aware of what the trial involves. You should also seek advice from your specialist before taking part. At Epworth, there are a number of clinical studies that are open to people with pancreatic cancer and are listed below.

Pancreatic cancer research at the Jreissati Family Pancreatic Centre at Epworth

Title Category Summary Key eligibility criteria Principal investigator
Screening for Pancreatic Cancer in High-Risk Individuals Observational investigator-led study in collaboration with St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney This study involves screening individuals at high risk of pancreatic cancer with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) aiming to detect pancreatic cancer early and improve survival. Individuals at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer as per International Cancer of the Pancreas Screening (CAPS) Consortium guidelines. A/Prof Andrew Metz
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in LPAC Treating Recurrent Abdominal Pain (ULTRA) Interventional investigator-led study in collaboration with the Royal Melbourne Hospital This study aims to determine if UDCA reduces the frequency of biliary pain in patients presenting with biliary pain post cholecystectomy who meet the criteria for low phospholipid associated cholelithiasis (LPAC). Individuals experiencing biliary pain post cholecystectomy who meet criteria for LPAC A/Prof Andrew Metz
Establishing a Biobank of Colorectal and Pancreatic Cancer Models for the Pursuit of Personalised Therapies Observational investigator-led study in collaboration with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute This study aims to establish a living biobank for colorectal and pancreatic cancer by collecting fresh tumour tissue specimens to develop organoid cultures and xenograft models to improve treatment selection and identify potential new treatments. Individuals who are undergoing investigations for, or have a diagnosis of, colorectal or pancreatic cancer. Mr Brett Knowles
The Victorian Pancreatic Cancer Biobank (VPCB) Observational investigator-led study in collaboration with Monash Health This study involves banking surgical and fine needle aspirate (FNA) samples to provide a comprehensive resource for future research into pancreatobiliary cancer genetics and personalised therapy. Individuals with a suspected diagnosis pancreatic cancer or cholangiocarcinoma Mr Dan Croagh
Circulating Tumour DNA Analysis Informing Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Early Stage Pancreatic Cancer: A Multicentre Randomised Study (DYNAMIC- Pancreas) A sponsored interventional study in collaboration with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute This study will enrol two participant cohorts, with the major focus being on the cohort that receives neo-adjuvant treatment, where participants will be randomised after surgical resection to receive either standard of care or adjuvant treatment guided by their ctDNA status. Individuals with localised adenocarcinoma of the pancreas undergoing surgery with planned chemotherapy (neo-adjuvant or adjuvant) Dr Ross Jennens
Pancreatic cancer: Understanding Routine Practice and Lifting End Results (PURPLE). A Prospective Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Registry Clinical data registry in collaboration with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute This registry consolidates de-identified clinical and research data on a unique data-sharing platform to enable a diverse range of research activities. Individuals with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) A/Prof Rachel Wong
Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry Clinical quality registry in collaboration with Monash University This registry records diagnostic, treatment and outcome data of patients with newly-diagnosed upper GI cancers to monitor the care provided. This information will be used to help assess hospital performance, identify trends and whether gaps exist in service provision. Individuals with newly-diagnosed cancers arising in the oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, biliary system and liver. Mr Brett Knowles
An Observational Study following CIrcuLating tumour DNA during muLti-Agent ThErapy in PDAC (OSCILLATE): a hypothesis-generating, prospective cohort study Observational investigator-led study This hypothesis-generating study aims to define the natural history of KRAS mutations detected in ctDNA of patients receiving systemic therapy as a possible biomarker of disease response. Individuals with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) who are about to receive multi-agent neoadjuvant or palliative chemotherapy as their first treatment Allan Zimet
Phase 1 Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Study of the Geranylgeranyltransferase I Inhibitor PTX-100 (GGTI-2418) in Patients with Advanced Malignancies Industry-sponsored interventional clinical trial an open-label, non-randomized study to evaluate the PD, PK, and safety of 500 to 2000 mg/m2 PTX-100 in patients with advanced malignancies. Biopsy proven multiple myeloma (MM), peripheral T-cell lymphoma (CTCL, AITL or PTCL-NOS), pancreas cancer (PANC), colorectal cancer (CRC) or diffuse gastric cancer (DGC)> Must have a relapsed or refractory advanced malignancy for which no standard therapy exists. A/Prof Sumitra Ananda

For further information:

Phone: 03 9426 8880
Email: [email protected]