PCR4QI: Pancreatic Cancer Registry for Quality Improvement
An NHMRC project grant was awarded in 2016 to Professor Sue Evans for ‘Optimising care for patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer: a prospective cohort study’. This 5-year project will utilise the UGICR’s pancreatic cancer data and see an expansion of this module into six NSW Local Health Districts. A PhD student is studying the development, implementation and analysis of pancreatic cancer quality indicators and patient-reported outcome measures.
Principal Investigators: Prof Sue Evans (CIA), A/Prof Rachel Neale, Prof John Zalcberg, Prof David Goldstein, Prof Sally Green, Prof Neil Merrett, Prof Kate White, Prof James Kench, A/Prof Arul Earnest, Prof Christopher Christophi, Dr Elizabeth Burmeister
PROpatient: UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER CARE COORDINATION PROJECT
A VCA project grant was awarded in 2018 for a registry-based randomised control trial (RRCT) of symptom monitoring, using patient-reported outcomes, and care-coordination integrated into clinical practice to improve health-related quality of life in patients diagnosed with pancreatic and oesophagogastric cancers. Potential participants will be recruited from eight hospitals in Victoria (including private and regional sites) identified through the UGICR.
Principal Investigators: Prof John Zalcberg (CIA), Dr Liane Ioannou, Prof Sue Evans, Prof Madeleine King, Prof Wendy Brown, Dr Daniel Croagh, A/Prof Charles Pilgrim, Prof Kate White, Prof Jennifer Philip and Prof Arul Earnest.
Associate Investigators: Dr Darshini Ayton, Prof Penelope Schofield, Prof Danny Liew, Prof Jon Emery, Dr Claudia Rutherford, Dr Ri Scarborough, Mr John Liman, Mr David Attwood, Mr Peter Bairstow, Ms Helen Farrugia, Ms Theresa Dodson, Ms Lisa Brady, and Ms Kate Furness.
For more information, please see the PROpatient website.
Piloting a new Radiological Synoptic Report for Classifying and Documenting Pancreatic Cancer Resectability
This pilot study involved the trial of a new synoptic radiology reporting template for review of abdominal CT scans in the context of suspected pancreatic cancer and will be conducted at two health services (Phase 1) and the assessment of in the inter and intra-observer variability of synoptic scan reporting among several radiologists (Phase 2). The study is being led by the Southern Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service in collaboration with the Northern Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service, the Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry, Austin Health and Alfred Health.
Coordinating Principal Investigator: Prof John Zalcberg, A/Prof Charles Pilgrim
Optimising Nutrition In Pancreatic Cancer: Examining PERT Implementation In Australia (PAN-EXPERT)
Patients with pancreatic cancer often develop pancreatic enzyme insufficiency (PEI), a condition that can lead to malnutrition, diarrhoea, steatorrhea (oily stool), bloating, and other symptoms. The standard treatment for this condition is PERT, but evidence is unclear about whether PERT has been adequately used to manage this condition in patients. This study aims to understand how PERT is being used in patients who are at most risk of developing PEI, that is, those who have undergone surgery. It also aims to understand current management approaches of pancreatic cancer and identify opportunities for improving the quality of life of patients.
Coordinating Principal Investigator: Mr Mark Cullinan
HER2 testing in advanced gastric cancer – understanding and reducing variation in current practice to improve equity in patient outcomes
The Victorian Cancer Agency (VCA) Quality and Safety in Cancer Care Research Grant was awarded in 2021 for a retrospective cohort study, including a qualitative sub-study. The primary aims are to determine the extent to which tumours from patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer across major centres in Victoria are being adequately assessed for overexpression and/or amplification of HER2; and to determine the extent that standardised testing algorithms are being used to test for HER2 status. Participants from twelve hospitals across Victoria (including private and regional sites) will be identified through the UGICR.
Chief Investigators: Dr Liane Ioannou (CIA), Prof John Zalcberg, Prof Alex Boussioutas, Dr Richard Chen, A/Prof Cuong Duong, Prof Stephen Fox, Dr Marnie Graco, Dr Andrew Haydon, A/Prof Rachel Wong
Victorian Pancreatic Cancer Biobank
This is an investigator led study that involves individuals with a suspected diagnosis pancreatic cancer or cholangiocarcinoma. This study involves banking surgical and fine needle aspirate (FNA) samples to provide a comprehensive resource for future research into pancreatobiliary cancer genetics and personalised therapy.
Coordinating Principal Investigator: Dr Daniel Croagh
Survival outcomes of curative therapies in early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma
A multicentre, noninterventional, retrospective study to describe and compare the impact of locoregional treatments compared with surgery on survival outcomes in patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Funded through contributions from pharmaceutical industry.
Coordinating Principal Investigator: A/Prof Stuart Roberts
SCANPatient: Synoptic reporting of CT scans assessing cancer of the pancreas
An MRFF funded, national randomised controlled trial, researchers will test whether a structured radiology report can improve the accuracy of reporting of CT scans in PC to optimise care
Coordinating Principal Investigator: A/Prof Charles Pilgrim
iCare – An interactive online portal to improve health and wellbeing for people living with complex cancers, and their informal carers: a Phase II randomised controlled trial
A Deakin University led, MRFF Partnership Grant study to test the feasibility and acceptability of iCare – a first-of-its-kind tailored, interactive web-based portal – to help deliver meaningful health impacts for people living with upper gastrointestinal cancers and their carers
Coordinating Principal Investigator: Prof Trish Livingstone and Prof Vicki White