Checking whether early pancreatic cancer screening can work in Swiss family doctor practices
Tests an MRI and blood test pathway in people 60 or older with risk signs.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Structured Case-Finding for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma in Swiss Primary Care: A Feasibility Study
Key facts
- Where
- Zurich, SwitzerlandSee the site
Where in Switzerland
- Onkozentrum Zürich AGZurich, SwitzerlandNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Saskia Hendrich
- Trial code
- NCT07723781
- Record updated
- 23 July 2026
- Original description
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is diagnosed at an advanced, incurable stage in more than 80% of cases in Switzerland. Certain warning signs - new-onset diabetes, unexplained weight loss, or a family history of pancreatic cancer - may indicate elevated risk, but are not systematically assessed in primary care.Read full original descriptionShow less
PANCATCH-Pilot: Structured Early Detection of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma in Swiss Primary Care - A Prospective Feasibility Study of a Case-Finding Pathway in the Canton of Zurich
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is diagnosed at an advanced, incurable stage in more than 80% of cases in Switzerland. Certain warning signs - new-onset diabetes, unexplained weight loss, or a family history of pancreatic cancer - may indicate elevated risk, but are not systematically assessed in primary care.
PANCATCH-Pilot tests whether a structured case-finding pathway in Swiss general practices is feasible. Adults aged 60 years or older with one or more of these risk factors are invited to undergo an MRI/MRCP examination of the pancreas and a blood draw for a blinded biomarker test (PancreaSure, Immunovia Inc.). Findings are reviewed by a multidisciplinary tumour board. The goal is not treatment, but to assess whether such a pathway works in the Swiss primary care context - as preparation for a larger national study.
The study enrolls 50 trigger-positive participants over 24 months through two parallel recruitment pathways: GP referral and self-presentation via a study website. Feasibility is assessed using six combined endpoints covering recruitment, process quality, safety, and equity.
Inclusion: Age 60 years or older; Attendance at a participating GP practice in Canton Zurich or adjacent canton (maximum 1 hour travel time), or self-presentation via study microsite; At least one trigger criterion fulfilled: metabolic trigger (new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosed within 24 months AND unintentional weight loss >5% body weight within 3 months) OR familial/genetic trigger (≥2 first-degree relatives with PDAC, or ≥1 first-degree relative with PDAC, or BRCA1/2 germline mutation, or CDKN2A mutation); combined with age ≥60 years; Written informed consent; Sufficient German or English language skills for study communication.
Exclusion: Prior or current diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma or pre-malignant pancreatic lesion; Contraindication to MRI (metallic implants, severe claustrophobia without available alternative); Active untreated psychiatric condition impairing capacity to consent; Pregnancy; Incapacity to provide informed consent.