Structured Case-Finding for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma in Swiss Primary Care: A Feasibility Study

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Conditions studied: Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (Ductal Adenocarcinoma), Early Detection of Cancer

In brief

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.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07723781

Run by

Saskia Hendrich

People needed

50

Starts

2026-10-01

Expected to finish

2030-09-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-23

Who can join

Age: 60 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 60 years or older
• Attendance at a participating GP practice in Canton Zurich or adjacent canton (maximum 1 hour travel time), or self-presentation via study microsite
• At least one trigger criterion fulfilled: metabolic trigger (new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosed within 24 months AND unintentional weight loss >5% body weight within 3 months) OR familial/genetic trigger (≥2 first-degree relatives with PDAC, or ≥1 first-degree relative with PDAC, or BRCA1/2 germline mutation, or CDKN2A mutation); combined with age ≥60 years
• Written informed consent
• Sufficient German or English language skills for study communication

You may not qualify if…

• Prior or current diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma or pre-malignant pancreatic lesion
• Contraindication to MRI (metallic implants, severe claustrophobia without available alternative)
• Active untreated psychiatric condition impairing capacity to consent
• Pregnancy
• Incapacity to provide informed consent

Where it is running

• Onkozentrum Zürich AG — Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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