Pancreatic Cancer, Advanced or MetastaticNCT07528430
Signature Development and Validation Protocol for an Epigenetic Assay in Diagnosing Pancreatic Cancer
An observational study of Pancreatic Cancer, Advanced or Metastatic, run by University of Maryland, Baltimore at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this research study is to test a new process for diagnosing pancreatic cancer by examining changes to your DNA that can be detected from a blood test. The information we learn by doing this study could potentially help people in the future. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Pancreatic Cancer, Advanced or Metastatic
- How many people
- 450 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2026to Nov 2032
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Study participants will be selected from patients being cared for across the University of Maryland Medical System
Who may be able to join
- 18 years old or older
- Patient of UMMS
- Willing and able to consent to study procedures listed in the protocol
- Ability to speak and understand English
- Has a history of pancreatic cancer of is at high risk for pancreatic cancer
Who cannot join
- Younger than 18 years old
- Patient not cared for at UMMS
- Unable to consent to study procedures listed in the protocol
- Unable to speak or understand English
- Does not have a history of pancreatic cancer or is not at high risk for pancreatic cancer
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site
University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center
Glen Burnie, Maryland, 21061
Peter Olivieri, MD, 410-553-8241, polivieri@umm.edu
Jeffrey Marshall, MD
About this study
The purpose of this research study is to test a new process for diagnosing pancreatic cancer by examining changes to your DNA that can be detected from a blood test. The information we learn by doing this study could potentially help people in the future.
Participants in this study will have blood samples collected, have their medical records reviewed by study personnel and fill out questionnaires at different time points during the study. Blood sample collection will occur during normal routine clinic visits. Participation in this study will last approximately 5 years.
Read the detailed description
This clinical testing protocol outlines the validation process for an epigenetic assay targeting host peripheral blood cell and the associated host DNA methylation signatures designed to diagnose pancreatic cancer. The overall protocol process will involve three distinct stages representing three patient cohorts with up to 150 subjects per cohort across 3 populations of patients. Cohort one will act as signature development phase; cohort two will act as signature finalization phase; and cohort three will act as a validation cohort phase. Each cohort with include the following patient populations with up to 50 patients per population:
- Pancreatic cancer, NO chemotherapy. Surgical resection and/or radiation therapy
- Pancreatic cancer, WITH chemotherapy. All stages including remission
- At risk group (individuals who have chronic pancreatitis, been diagnosed with an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), have a family history of pancreatic cancer and/or have a known genetic disposition)
- Keywords
- Pancreatic cancer, Pancreatic cancer screening
- Medical subject headings
- Pancreatic Neoplasms, Neoplasm Metastasis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Study Population 1 | This study population will consist of individuals who have a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and have not received chemotherapy treatment for their pancreatic cancer. Individuals who have received surgical resection and/or radiation therapy for their pancreatic cancer will be included. | |
| Study Population 2 | This study population will consist of individuals who have a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and have received chemotherapy treatment for their pancreatic cancer. All stages of pancreatic cancer will be included including individuals in remission. | |
| Study Population 3 | This study population will consist of individuals who are at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Identification of tumor-associated host methylation signature
Genome-wide methylation profile of whole blood from pancreatic cancer patients, pre-cancer patients, patients undergoing therapy, and control subjects.
Measured: 5 years
Technology development
The investigators will develop array-based assays using whole-blood samples, focused on disease-specific methylation sites to provide early diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic efficacy prediction.
Measured: 5 years
Technology validation
The investigators will validate identified blood-based circulating methylation signatures in patients at high risk for developing pancreatic cancer.
Measured: 5 years
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Apr 2026
- Study start1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionOct 2032 (estimated)
- Study completionNov 2032 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (6)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Pancreatic Cancer, Advanced or MetastaticStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 450 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Maryland, Baltimore
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- EPOCH Epigenetics, Inc
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Peter Olivieri, University of Maryland, Baltimore
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07528430
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HP-00118397
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 7 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 29 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Li Y, Fan Z, Meng Y, Liu S, Zhan H. Blood-based DNA methylation signatures in cancer: A systematic review. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis. 2023 Jan 1;1869(1):166583. doi: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166583. Epub 2022 Oct 18.
PubMed 36270476Terp SK, Stoico MP, Dybkaer K, Pedersen IS. Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer based on methylation profiles in peripheral blood cell-free DNA: a systematic review. Clin Epigenetics. 2023 Feb 14;15(1):24. doi: 10.1186/s13148-023-01440-w.
PubMed 36788585Ibrahim J, Peeters M, Van Camp G, Op de Beeck K. Methylation biomarkers for early cancer detection and diagnosis: Current and future perspectives. Eur J Cancer. 2023 Jan;178:91-113. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.10.015. Epub 2022 Oct 27.
PubMed 36427394Guo Y, Yin J, Dai Y, Guan Y, Chen P, Chen Y, Huang C, Lu YJ, Zhang L, Song D. A Novel CpG Methylation Risk Indicator for Predicting Prognosis in Bladder Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021 Sep 1;9:642650. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.642650. eCollection 2021.
PubMed 34540821Xie Y, Li P, Sun D, Qi Q, Ma S, Zhao Y, Zhang S, Wang T, Wang J, Li S, Gong T, Xu H, Xiong M, Li G, You C, Luo Z, Li J, Wang C, Du L. DNA Methylation-Based Testing in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Enables Accurate and Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer. Cancer Res. 2023 Nov 1;83(21):3636-3649. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-22-3402.
PubMed 37602818Wang T, Li P, Qi Q, Zhang S, Xie Y, Wang J, Liu S, Ma S, Li S, Gong T, Xu H, Xiong M, Li G, You C, Luo Z, Li J, Du L, Wang C. A multiplex blood-based assay targeting DNA methylation in PBMCs enables early detection of breast cancer. Nat Commun. 2023 Aug 7;14(1):4724. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-40389-5.
PubMed 37550304
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 29 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Signature Development and Validation Protocol for an Epigenetic Assay in Diagnosing Pancreatic Cancer
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07528430
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HP-00118397
- Keywords
- Pancreatic cancer, Pancreatic cancer screening
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 450 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Maryland, BaltimoreUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- EPOCH Epigenetics, Inc
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Oct 2032 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Nov 2032 (estimated)
- First posted
- 14 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this research study is to test a new process for diagnosing pancreatic cancer by examining changes to your DNA that can be detected from a blood test. The information we learn by doing this study could potentially help people in the future.
Participants in this study will have blood samples collected, have their medical records reviewed by study personnel and fill out questionnaires at different time points during the study. Blood sample collection will occur during normal routine clinic visits. Participation in this study will last approximately 5 years.
Detailed description
This clinical testing protocol outlines the validation process for an epigenetic assay targeting host peripheral blood cell and the associated host DNA methylation signatures designed to diagnose pancreatic cancer. The overall protocol process will involve three distinct stages representing three patient cohorts with up to 150 subjects per cohort across 3 populations of patients. Cohort one will act as signature development phase; cohort two will act as signature finalization phase; and cohort three will act as a validation cohort phase. Each cohort with include the following patient populations with up to 50 patients per population:
- Pancreatic cancer, NO chemotherapy. Surgical resection and/or radiation therapy
- Pancreatic cancer, WITH chemotherapy. All stages including remission
- At risk group (individuals who have chronic pancreatitis, been diagnosed with an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), have a family history of pancreatic cancer and/or have a known genetic disposition)
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Study Population 1 | – | –This study population will consist of individuals who have a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and have not received chemotherapy treatment for their pancreatic cancer. Individuals who have received surgical resection and/or radiation therapy for their pancreatic cancer will be included. |
| Study Population 2 | – | –This study population will consist of individuals who have a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and have received chemotherapy treatment for their pancreatic cancer. All stages of pancreatic cancer will be included including individuals in remission. |
| Study Population 3 | – | –This study population will consist of individuals who are at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Study participants will be selected from patients being cared for across the University of Maryland Medical System
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 18 years old or older
- Patient of UMMS
- Willing and able to consent to study procedures listed in the protocol
- Ability to speak and understand English
- Has a history of pancreatic cancer of is at high risk for pancreatic cancer
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Younger than 18 years old
- Patient not cared for at UMMS
- Unable to consent to study procedures listed in the protocol
- Unable to speak or understand English
- Does not have a history of pancreatic cancer or is not at high risk for pancreatic cancer
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Identification of tumor-associated host methylation signature
Time frame: 5 years
Genome-wide methylation profile of whole blood from pancreatic cancer patients, pre-cancer patients, patients undergoing therapy, and control subjects.
Technology development
Time frame: 5 years
The investigators will develop array-based assays using whole-blood samples, focused on disease-specific methylation sites to provide early diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic efficacy prediction.
Technology validation
Time frame: 5 years
The investigators will validate identified blood-based circulating methylation signatures in patients at high risk for developing pancreatic cancer.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 29 Jul 2026.
- Background: PubMed 36270476Li Y, Fan Z, Meng Y, Liu S, Zhan H. Blood-based DNA methylation signatures in cancer: A systematic review. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis. 2023 Jan 1;1869(1):166583. doi: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166583. Epub 2022 Oct 18.
- Background: PubMed 36788585Terp SK, Stoico MP, Dybkaer K, Pedersen IS. Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer based on methylation profiles in peripheral blood cell-free DNA: a systematic review. Clin Epigenetics. 2023 Feb 14;15(1):24. doi: 10.1186/s13148-023-01440-w.
- Background: PubMed 36427394Ibrahim J, Peeters M, Van Camp G, Op de Beeck K. Methylation biomarkers for early cancer detection and diagnosis: Current and future perspectives. Eur J Cancer. 2023 Jan;178:91-113. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.10.015. Epub 2022 Oct 27.
- Background: PubMed 34540821Guo Y, Yin J, Dai Y, Guan Y, Chen P, Chen Y, Huang C, Lu YJ, Zhang L, Song D. A Novel CpG Methylation Risk Indicator for Predicting Prognosis in Bladder Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021 Sep 1;9:642650. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.642650. eCollection 2021.
- Background: PubMed 37602818Xie Y, Li P, Sun D, Qi Q, Ma S, Zhao Y, Zhang S, Wang T, Wang J, Li S, Gong T, Xu H, Xiong M, Li G, You C, Luo Z, Li J, Wang C, Du L. DNA Methylation-Based Testing in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Enables Accurate and Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer. Cancer Res. 2023 Nov 1;83(21):3636-3649. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-22-3402.
- Background: PubMed 37550304Wang T, Li P, Qi Q, Zhang S, Xie Y, Wang J, Liu S, Ma S, Li S, Gong T, Xu H, Xiong M, Li G, You C, Luo Z, Li J, Du L, Wang C. A multiplex blood-based assay targeting DNA methylation in PBMCs enables early detection of breast cancer. Nat Commun. 2023 Aug 7;14(1):4724. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-40389-5.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Pancreatic Cancer, Advanced or Metastatic, run by University of Maryland, Baltimore at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Jennifer Emel, MA (410-553-8048, Jennifer.Emel@umm.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Identification of tumor-associated host methylation signature (time frame: 5 years). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07528430, which also lists 6 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 Jul 2026.