The Pancreatic Cancer Research Team (PCRT) is a non-profit organization whose goals are to improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients with pancreatic cancer, and ultimately to eradicate and cure pancreatic cancer. It is an international collaborative organization formed by several world renowned institutions and researchers. PCRT conducts clinical trials in patients with pancreatic cancer, translating genomics research into prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
The Serum and DNA Bank
Currently, there is no reliable marker for the detection of early pancreatic cancer. Clearly, the potential discovery of biomarkers associated with early disease will increase the success of early diagnosis, preventative and possibly curative treatments. The discovery of early recurrence biomarkers could facilitate the implementation of innovative early therapies, when the likelihood of success is higher.
There is also no reliable serum marker to use for follow up of patients who are in treatment or one that can discriminate between patients with differences in response and survival. For patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, the discovery of novel molecular alterations present in pancreatic cancer cells will enable the discovery and development of novel drugs and therapeutic strategies to combat the disease.
The center point of PCRT's effort is the creation of a multi-center Serum and DNA Repository for the discovery of biomarkers for this disease. The PCRT has developed a clinical study designed to collect blood from people with pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, liver disease, and from healthy and at-risk volunteers in order to identify biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. The samples are stored in a central repository or bank as a resource for current and future scientific studies. PCRT researchers use the samples to identify new biomarkers for early diagnosis, disease stage, natural history of the disease, response to treatment and to identify possible therapeutic interventions.
Bioinformatics
PCRT's bioinformatics support is provided by the Translational Genomics Research Institute's (TGen) Information Technology Department and by using Cancer Research and Biostatistics (CRAB), current generation computing and communication technologies to track collection of biological materials, collection and storage of annotated clinical information and other data obtained on such specimens.
Statistical Center
As a member of PCRT, Cancer Research and Biostatistics (CRAB) serves as PCRT's Statistical Center. Its primary role is to ensure the successful implementation of the trial design through effective data management and Statistical Analysis. This includes the following tasks:
- Study design and statistical analysis.
- Data operations.
- Web site operations.
- Patient registration.
- Adverse event tracking.
- Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB).