Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth cause of cancer-related death, prognosticated to become the second cause if no breakthroughs occur. There is a need for improvement in early diagnosis, as well as improved and tumor-directed therapy. Risk groups exist like hereditary forms, and the association with diabetes mellitus type 2. 80 % of PDAC patients have a new onset diabetes mellitus type 2, or are in a prediabetic state.

Patients are usually asymptomatic or have vague symptoms. The novel biomarkers for PDAC, combined with carbohydrate antigen 19-9 renders an AUC of 0.95. To our knowledge, this is the best diagnostic test described in PDAC. The test has been patented (PCT). We have several sets of validation, first in Sweden/ Scandinavia (about 250 patients), internationally (European; at least 600 patients), and under discussion a Chinese validation. We will evaluate if the diagnostic panel is expressed in serum in asymptomatic patients later developing PDAC, but with new onset diabetes mellitus.

We have developed a novel, ELISA-based, pancreatic cancer diagnostic serum test. Results so far are most promising and may render a breakthrough in diagnosis and thereby outcome of PDAC. Improved biomarker knowledge in cancer tissue will also provide novel biomarkers both for prognosis – treatment prediction/outcome, as well as goals for targeted and tumor-specific treatment.