evaluating linfu™: a noninvasive method for collecting pancreatic cells for the early detection of pancreatic cancer

Conditions: Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Summary: adenocyte has developed linfu®, (low intensity non-focused ultrasound excitation of the pancreas) as a method of identifying early, asymptomatic pancreatic cancer and its noninvasive precancerous lesions. the test involves ultrasound and an analysis of pancreatic juice. a neural network-based computer-assisted system may be utilized to enhance the analysis. patients enrolled are being screened for pancreatic cancer because they have known risk factors (i.e. smoking, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, family history of pancreatic cancer, or certain genetic syndromes).

adenocyte has developed a proprietary pancreatic cancer detection method, linfu®, (low intensity non-focused ultrasound excitation of the pancreas) to increase the sensitivity of pancreatic juice cytology. linfu® consists of analysis of pancreatic fluid collected with the help of low intensity non-focused ultrasound excitation of the pancreas. a contrast agent will be used to create bubbles and possibly increase the number of pancreatic cell we collect for the study. secretin is also used to increase the number of pancreatic cell excretion to maximize the number of cells collected. a neural network-based computer-assisted system may be used to enhance the analysis of specimens. in this registry, linfu® will be studied in patients who are at increased risk for developing pancreatic cancer as well as those with signs or symptoms of disease. in this registry, a standardized case report form will be completed for every subject enrolled. information obtained at baseline will include patient history, clinical and demographic information including relevant comorbidities and pancreatic disease history, and screening and pathology test results. the results of all diagnostic tests, surgeries, and biopsies performed after the linfu® technique for a period of 5 years will be recorded and maintained as clinical registry data. this includes testing and procedures received since enrollment including eus- fna, mri/mrcp, ercp, ct, ceus, treatments performed, pathology results, and pancreatic disease history since enrollment. the registry case report form is the primary data collection instrument for the registry. all data requested on the form must be recorded and these forms will be monitored carefully by the sponsor to ensure they are completely filled out properly. .

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. both males and females will be enrolled and must be at least 18 years of age and under age of 90 2. patients, who in the opinion of the investigator, are at elevated risk of developing a pancreatic malignancy because they have known risk factors for pdac or signs or symptoms of pdac 3. high risk asymptomatic patients being screened for pdac 4. patients with clinical signs or symptoms of pdac including abnormal imaging and who are scheduled for eus- fna, mri/mrcp, ercp, or ct will be enrolled 5. institutional review board (irb)-approved consent must be signed by patients to participate in this study. exclusion criteria 1. patient under the age of 18 and over the age 90 2. contraindications to linfu/eus/ercp as determined by study investigators: 1. patient with uncorrectable coagulopathy 2. patient that cannot undergo anesthesia due to cardiopulmonary contraindication as deemed by the anesthesiologist 3. unstable medically (cardiopulmonary, neurologic, or cardiovascular status) 3. patients undergoing eus or ercp for a suspected bile duct cancer arising from the intrahepatic or extrahepatic biliary epithelium 4. pregnant females will be excluded 5. patient that is unable to provide informed consent 6. patient with known allergy to the microbubble contrast agent or secretin

Keywords: pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia