Pancreatic Cancer Screening Trial
Our Research
The Australian Pancreatic Cancer Screening Program (APCSP) closed in November 2024. This research trial assessed the utility of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and MRI as a screening test for people with an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. As Australia’s longest running pancreatic cancer screening trial, this study has contributed important information about how we can improve the detection of pancreatic cancer.
Why screen for pancreatic cancer?
Early detection and treatment of pancreatic cancer can significantly improve patient outcomes. However, due to the relatively low incidence of pancreatic cancer, population-based screening is not considered feasible. Many international screening programs are working together to define a population who may benefit from regular surveillance and to establish evidence-based screening protocols for families at an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer screening in Australia
The APCSP commenced at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, in 2012 and by 2020 the trial had expanded to additional sites in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. About 450 participants across Australia received regular research-based surveillance throughout the trial. The aim of the trial was to determine how effectively EUS and MRI can detect premalignant lesions and early pancreatic cancers in high-risk individuals.
We have published several peer-reviewed journal articles related to this research:
- Dwarte, T et al. (2019) Genetic counselling and personalised risk assessment in the Australian pancreatic cancer screening program. Hereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice 17:30 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13053-019-0129-1
- O’Neill, RS et al. (2020) Long-term positive psychological outcomes in an Australian pancreatic cancer screening program. Familial Cancer 19(1):23-35 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10689-019-00147-3
- Efthymiou, M et al. (2020) Outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound as a one-off pancreatic cancer screening tool for 122 high- and moderate-risk patients JGH Open: An open access journal of gastroenterology and hepatology 1–7 doi:10.1002/jgh3.12432
- O’Neill RS et al. (2020) Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1/growth differentiation factor-15 in premalignant and neoplastic tumours in a high-risk pancreatic cancer cohort World Journal of Gastroenterology 26(14): 1660-1673 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i14.1660
5. Murali, K et al (2021) Significant detection of new germline pathogenic variants in Australian Pancreatic Cancer Screening Program participants, Hereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice 19:33 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13053-021-00190-1
Additional publications detailing the findings of this trial will be published in the coming months.
How can I access screening now that the APCSP is closed?
Whilst the APCSP is now closed, a new pancreatic cancer screening trial, called Australian Pancreatic High-RIsk ScrEening (APRISE) will launch in Australia in 2025. Individuals who would like to learn more about pancreatic cancer screening, can find more information at: https://pancreaticcentre.org.au/pancreatic-screening/pancreatic-cancer-screening
Further reading:
Goggins, M et al. Management of patients with increased risk for familial pancreatic cancer: updated recommendations from the International Cancer of the Pancreas Screening (CAPS) Consortium (2020) Gut 69(1):7-17. https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2019-319352
