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EUS-guided PORtal Vein Sampling for Circulating Tumor Cells in Pancreatic Cancer Patients

EUS-guided PORtal Vein Sampling for Isolation, Enumeration and Profiling of Circulating Tumor Cells in Pancreatic Cancer Patients

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05247164
Acronym
EUPhORIC
Enrollment
23
Registered
2022-02-18
Start date
2022-05-17
Completion date
2026-03-19
Last updated
2026-04-15

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma, Pancreatic Cancer

Keywords

Endoscopic Ultrasound, EUS, Portal blood, Circulating Tumor Cells, Fine Needle Aspiration

Brief summary

The study aims at evaluating the feasibility and safety of EUS-guided Portal Circulation sampling for isolation, enumeration and profiling od Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC) in Pancreatic Cancer patients. Patients undergoing Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) for cyto/histological characterization of the neoplasia will receive an additional Fine Needle Aspiration sampling of a branch of the Portal Circulation to obtain a blood sample which will be processed for CTC enrichment, count and characterization.

Detailed description

Prognostic stratification of patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is still suboptimal, relying only on imaging studies and Carbohydrate Antigen 19.9 to drive important treatment decisions (e.g. surgery versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy). Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) have been poorly evaluated in this neoplasia as they are rarely detected in the peripheral blood, whereas they are more abundantly detected in the portal circulation below the hepatic filter. Most PDAC patients undergo Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) for cyto/histological characterization of the neoplasia. EUS-guided acquisition of portal blood for CTC evaluation has demonstrated its feasibility in preliminary studies without reducing the safety of the endoscopic procedure. The study aims at collecting portal blood from PDAC patients under EUS-guidance to evaluate whether concentration and characterization of CTCs has a prognostic significance and can aid in decision making. A paired peripheral blood sample will be acquired for comparison. Samples will be processed to obtain microfluidic enrichment of CTCs and stained with immunofluorescent antibodies for exclusion of hematopoietic cells and specific identification of CTCs, which will then be counted to obtain the blood concentration expressed as number of cells per 7.5 ml of blood. Patients will be followed every 60 days for a maximum of 24 months to assess the evolution of primary disease and clinical status.

Interventions

PROCEDUREEUS-guided Portal Vein sampling

Transgastric and Transhepatic Fine Needle Aspiration of a branch of the Portal Vein under EUS guidance. A paired peripheral sample will be acquired.

Sponsors

IRCCS San Raffaele
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* patient with a pancreatic solid lesion undergoing EUS with a rapid on-site confirmation of a pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma * patients primarily followed within San Raffaele Institute

Exclusion criteria

* history of active non-pancreatic cancer * coagulopathy (INR \> 1.5; platelets \< 70.000/ul) or use of non-withdrawable anticoagulant or antiplatelet * known history or endosonographic signs of portal hypertension * extensive invasion of portal vein precluding needle maneuvers * pregnancy and breastfeeding

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Proportion of patients with successful aspiration of portal bloodDay 1The proportion of patients with successful needle access to the portal circulation with subsequent successful aspiration of portal blood
Proportion of patients with procedure-related Adverse Events30 daysThe proportion of patients experiencing procedure-related adverse events, such as bleeding or perihepatic collections.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Difference between Portal and Peripheral CTC concentrationDay 1CTC concentration \[Count / 7.5 ml of blood\]
Portal CTC concentration according to clinical stageDay 1CTC concentration \[Count / 7.5 ml of blood\]
Baseline portal CTC concentration in patients with progressive versus non-progressive diseases24 monthsCTC concentration \[Count / 7.5 ml of blood\]

Countries

Italy

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORGiuseppe Vanella

IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 16, 2026