2024 Early Detection Gran - Ying Zhu

Project Summary

Early detection of pancreatic cancer (PC) gives patients the best chance of long-term survival. Screening the general population is difficult due to the relatively low incidence of PC, so early detection efforts should focus on high-risk populations. Pancreatic cystic lesions are frequent incidental findings that are common in the general population. Identifying high-risk PC precursor lesions with malignant potential is critical as it avoids unnecessary surgical intervention with substantial risks and costs. An unmet need exists for an affordable test to identify high-risk pancreatic lesions to allow early intervention before malignant transformation. This project aims to develop an affordable, highly accurate blood test to identify high-risk PC precursor lesions. The target in the blood test is circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are vehicles packaging numerous disease-specific biomarkers into circulation. The blood test is based on the team’s recent development of a highly sensitive assay that detects extremely low concentrations of EV-associated biomarkers in patients' blood harbouring early diseases. The outcomes will provide a non-invasive and affordable clinical option for patient management, significantly reducing the risks and costs of unnecessary pancreatic surgery. It allows screening in high-risk populations for early intervention before malignant transformation.