A molecular test called PancreaSeq accurately classifies pancreatic cysts as potentially cancerous or benign, according to a large, multi-center study led by University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC researchers.
Published today in Gastroenterology, the prospective study of more than 1,800 patients found that incorporating molecular markers improved the accuracy of diagnoses compared with current guidelines based on imaging of cysts.
“Based on the results of this study, molecular testing of pancreatic cysts is poised to enter international consensus guidelines for the diagnosis of pancreatic cysts and early detection of pancreatic cancer,” said co-senior author Aatur Singhi, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of pathology at Pitt and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center investigator. “Our hope is that PancreaSeq will not only improve early detection of pancreatic cancer but also avoid overtreatment and unnecessary surgery of non-cancerous cysts.”
Up to 15% of the U.S. population will develop a pancreatic cyst at some point in their lives. Most of these cysts are benign, but a small fraction will transform into cancer.
“Although rare, pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease: Most patients will die within a few years of diagnosis,” said Singhi. “The only way we can improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer is to find better treatments or detect it earlier. Here at UPMC, our focus has been addressing both of these issues, and especially improving early-stage detection efforts.”
Pittdeveloped PancreaSeq, which accurately distinguishes benign cysts from those that could become cancerous by sequencing 22 pancreatic cyst-associated genes.
Source: Read Full Article