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Structured Case-Finding for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma in Swiss Primary Care: A Feasibility Study
Sponsor: Saskia Hendrich
Summary
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is diagnosed at an advanced, incurable stage in more than 80% of cases in Switzerland. Certain warning signs - new-onset diabetes, unexplained weight loss, or a family history of pancreatic cancer - may indicate elevated risk, but are not systematically assessed in primary care. PANCATCH-Pilot tests whether a structured case-finding pathway in Swiss general practices is feasible. Adults aged 60 years or older with one or more of these risk factors are invited to undergo an MRI/MRCP examination of the pancreas and a blood draw for a blinded biomarker test (PancreaSure, Immunovia Inc.). Findings are reviewed by a multidisciplinary tumour board. The goal is not treatment, but to assess whether such a pathway works in the Swiss primary care context - as preparation for a larger national study. The study enrolls 50 trigger-positive participants over 24 months through two parallel recruitment pathways: GP referral and self-presentation via a study website. Feasibility is assessed using six combined endpoints covering recruitment, process quality, safety, and equity.
Official title: PANCATCH-Pilot: Structured Early Detection of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma in Swiss Primary Care - A Prospective Feasibility Study of a Case-Finding Pathway in the Canton of Zurich
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
60 Years - Any
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
50
Start Date
2026-10-01
Completion Date
2030-09-30
Last Updated
2026-07-23
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Structured case-finding pathway (MRI/MRCP + PancreaSure biomarker assay)
Single-visit structured pathway comprising: (1) standardised clinical risk assessment; (2) MRI/MRCP with macrocyclic gadolinium contrast agent (Dotarem) per PRECEDE consensus protocol; (3) blood draw for blinded PancreaSure serum biomarker assay (Immunovia Inc.) and study biobank; (4) multidisciplinary tumour board review. No therapeutic intervention.
Locations (1)
Onkozentrum Zürich AG
Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland