Optimizing Risk Assessment Through cfDNA in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors for Clinical Evaluation

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

cfDNA molecular profiling: Circulating-free DNA (cfDNA) will be extracted from plasma samples previously collected and currently stored at the San Raffaele Hospital (HSR) NETBank biobank. cfDNA profiling will be performed using methylome and nucleosome footprinting techniques. No therapeutic or experimental intervention will be performed.

Study summary

Non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PanNETs) are heterogeneous neoplasms of the pancreatic endocrine tissue, displaying variable clinical behavior from indolent to highly aggressive forms. Their often asymptomatic nature and lack of reliable preoperative biomarkers make clinical management particularly challenging.

This exploratory study will investigate cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a potential non-invasive biomarker in NF-PanNETs. cfDNA samples from approximately 30 patients, representing distinct clinical courses (active surveillance, indolent post-surgical, and aggressive post-surgical cases), will be analyzed using advanced methylome and nucleosome footprinting techniques.

The aim is to evaluate cfDNA's diagnostic and prognostic potential to improve disease monitoring and support personalized therapeutic strategies in NF-PanNET patients.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• cfDNA Molecular Profiling — From enrollment until the day before surgery, or during scheduled visits for patients under active surveillance.
  To investigate the feasability of circulating-free DNA (cfDNA) assessment as a non- invasive biomarker for non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PanNETs). cfDNA concentrations and cfDNA epigenetic and fragmentomic signatures in plasma samples will be analysed.

Trial sites (1)

Other trials for the same condition