Pancreatic Cancer Detection Consortium: Management and Data Coordination Unit (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

This grant, named the Pancreatic Cancer Detection Consortium: Management and Data Coordination Unit, is inviting applications for research. Its primary goal is to enhance early detection of a type of pancreatic cancer called pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and to characterize its precursor lesions. The ultimate aim is to identify high-risk patients likely to develop this cancer, thereby facilitating early treatment.

The Pancreatic Cancer Detection Consortium (PCDC) aims to satisfy one of the four research priorities documented in the National Cancer Institute's 2014 Framework for PDAC. PCDC funds research focused on devising and testing new molecular and imaging biomarkers to detect PDAC in its early stages. Also, it helps to identify individuals with genetic predispositions or precursor lesions who are thus at a high risk of developing PDAC.

As part of the PCDC, Research Units (RUs) will consist of multi-disciplinary teams who will conduct various studies. They will identify and test biomarkers measurable in bodily fluids, determine which pancreatic cysts may progress to cancer, develop molecular and imaging-based strategies for screening high-risk populations, employ machine learning and computational methods for biomarker discovery or validation, and conduct biomarker validation studies. Furthermore, they will collect longitudinal biospecimens to construct a biorepository.

Each RU is expected to collaborate with other RUs within the PCDC, sharing thoughts, biospecimens, and data. In addition to the RUs, the Management and Data Coordination Unit (MDCU) forms the other key scientific component of the PCDC. The MDCU aids with all aspects of study design, protocol development, statistical analysis, coordination, harmonization, data management, and stewardship throughout the PCDC's collaborative projects, including the biorepository building effort.