Clinical trials
The Jreissati Family Pancreatic Centre at Epworth will lead research studies and clinical trials covering every phase of patient diagnosis, treatment and care.
For further information:
Phone: 03 9426 8880
Email: [email protected]
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?
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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 | Dr Peter Tagkalidis |
| 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 | Dr Allan Zimet |
| Endoscopic Ultrasound Molecular Evaluation of Pancreatic Cancer (EU-ME-PC) Trial | Observational investigator-led study in collaboration with Monash Health | This study aims to assess the utility of endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) biopsy to provide material for comprehensive genomic profiling of pancreatic cancer with a view to guiding precision therapy. | Individuals with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) | Dr Allan Zimet |
| The PRoCESS Trial: Pancreatic cancer Relatives Counselling and Education Support Service | Randomised control interventional study for pancreatic cancer carers in collaboration with QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | This study aims to determine if nurse-led counselling improves carers' mental wellbeing and pancreatic cancer patient reported outcomes. | Primary carer of a person diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma within the last 3 months. | A/Prof Andrew Metz |
| A Multicentre, Open-label, Innovation Study in Pancreatic Cancer Utilising the NanoKnife® System for Irreversible Electroportation (IRE) in Unresectable Stage 3 Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (DIRECT-InspIRE) |
Interventional investigator-led study in collaboration with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) | This study aims to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of IRE following standard of care chemotherapy. | Unresectable stage 3 pancreatic adenocarcinoma, maximum 3 months of first line chemotherapy prior to enrolment, ≤3.5 cm axial tumour dimension. | Mr Brett Knowles |
Phone: 03 9426 8880
Email: EH[email protected]