Ultrasound for Pancreatic Cancer

Overseen By Dorian Anglin Facey

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University Health Network, Toronto

Disqualifiers: Inability to provide consent

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

30 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment High Resolution Ultrasound for pancreatic cancer?

Research shows that high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), a similar treatment, has been evaluated for safety and effectiveness in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, suggesting potential benefits. Additionally, ultrasound has been useful in surgeries for pancreatic conditions, helping with diagnosis and understanding the disease better. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) safe for treating pancreatic cancer?

Research shows that high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been evaluated for safety in treating pancreatic cancer, and studies have focused on understanding its complications and overall safety profile. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

How does ultrasound treatment differ from other treatments for pancreatic cancer?

Ultrasound treatment for pancreatic cancer is unique because it uses sound waves to create images of the pancreas, helping to detect and assess the extent of tumors. Unlike traditional treatments, it can be used intraoperatively (during surgery) to guide surgical decisions and avoid unnecessary procedures by revealing the spread of cancer. ^{1 10 11 12 13}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Pancreatic cancer patients at UHN who have had a CT at UHN and have surgery planned will undergo a high resolution ultrasound pre-operatively and intra-operatively. This study is being done to see if using high resolution ultrasound before and during surgery will help the doctors accurately diagnose pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and identify if the disease has spread to other areas of the body.

Research Team

Korosh Khalili, MD

Principal Investigator

UHN

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, diagnosed through imaging or pathology, who have had a CT scan at UHN and are scheduled for surgery. It's not suitable for those who don't meet these specific conditions.

Inclusion Criteria

Contrast enhanced CT scan performed locally at UHN

My pancreatic cancer was confirmed by imaging or biopsy.

I am scheduled for surgery to remove a part of my body.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Pre-operative Assessment

Participants undergo high resolution ultrasound before surgery to assess pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

within 2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Intra-operative Assessment

High resolution ultrasound is used during surgery to help diagnose pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and assess disease spread

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• High Resolution Ultrasound

Trial Overview The study tests if high resolution ultrasound can improve the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer when used before and during surgery. The goal is to see if this method helps in assessing the spread of the disease more accurately.

Participant Groups

Group I: High Resolution Ultasound Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Diagnostic high resolution ultrasound pre-operatively and intraoperatively

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University Health Network, Toronto

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,555

Recruited

526,000+

Findings from Research

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a safe and non-invasive treatment option for advanced pancreatic cancer, as shown in a study of 224 cases with no severe complications reported.

While some patients experienced mild side effects like increased serum amylase levels and gastrointestinal dysfunction, the overall safety profile was positive, indicating that careful preparation and execution are essential for successful outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety evaluation of high-intensity focused ultrasound in patients with pancreatic cancer. Wang, K., Zhu, H., Meng, Z., et al.[2022]

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound significantly improves the accuracy of diagnosing pancreatic tumors compared to conventional ultrasonography, potentially influencing the choice of further imaging tests.

While multidetector computed tomography is the gold standard for assessing solid pancreatic lesions, MRI is better for evaluating cystic lesions and the ductal system, highlighting the importance of selecting the appropriate imaging technique based on the type of pancreatic tumor.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Imaging techniques in pancreatic tumors. D'Onofrio, M., Gallotti, A., Pozzi Mucelli, R.[2022]

References

1. Cyprus pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ultrasound combined with computed tomography in pancreatic cancer. [2020]

2. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound for evaluating response to pulsed-wave high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy in advanced pancreatic cancer. [2023]

3. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical application of dynamic contrast enhanced ultrasound in monitoring the treatment response of chemoradiotherapy of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. [2023]

4. Greece pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High intensity focused ultrasound treatment for patients with local advanced pancreatic cancer. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The role of imaging ultrasound during pancreatic surgery. [2019]

6. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The efficacy of a new high intensity focused ultrasound therapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-intensity focused ultrasound ablation in hepatic and pancreatic cancer: complications. [2014]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Diagnosing Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma With Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography: A Literature Review of Research in Europe and Asia. [2022]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety evaluation of high-intensity focused ultrasound in patients with pancreatic cancer. [2022]

10. Japan pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Studies on diagnosis of pancreas head region cancer using echotomography]. [2011]

11. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Peroperative ultrasound scanning of the pancreas]. [2006]

12. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Imaging techniques in pancreatic tumors. [2022]

13. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ultrasound in the diagnosis of malignant pancreatic tumours. [2019]