Serum DCAMKL1 Pre and Post Treatment in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer

March 26, 2026 updated by: University of Oklahoma

Expression Patterns of Stem Cell Marker Doublecortin and CaM Kinase-Like-1 (DCAMKL-1) in Human Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

The investigators believe DCAMKL-1 is a stem cell tumor marker and is elevated in patients with pancreatic cancer. The investigators would like to analyze its expression pre and post treatment, to gauge the correlation between current pancreatic cancer therapies and the expression of DCAMKL-1

Study Overview

Status

Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Pancreatic Cancer

Detailed Description

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma has the worst prognosis of any major malignancy with a 3% 5 year survival. Major obstacles in treating pancreatic cancer include extensive local invasion and early metastasis. The incidence of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) has been increasing steadily. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a key role in cancer invasion and metastasis. Recently, a direct link between EMT and the gain of epithelial stem cell properties has been described. We have recently determined that DCAMKL-1, a microtubule-associated kinase expressed in post mitotic neurons, is a putative intestinal stem cell marker. We have also demonstrated that DCAMKL-1, a protein expressed in both normal stem cells and in cancer, likely promotes tumorigenesis through the regulation of pri-let-7a microRNA and c-Myc. We have recently demonstrated evidence that DCAMKL-1 is a marker for pancreatic cancer stem cells in surgical specimens. This study will investigate expression of DCAMKL-1 in pancreatic tissue obtained through EUS-FNA. Furthermore expression of DCAMKL-1 will also be investigated in serum obtained simultaneously.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

United States
- Oklahoma
  - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, 73104
    - Stephensen Cancer Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Human patients with pancreatic cancer undergo various treatments for pancreatic cancer. We will examine the expression of Dcamkl-1 pre and post therapy (including, chemotherapy only, surgery only, neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies) to correlate treatment with a change in DCAMKl-1 expression.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

pancreatic cancer

Exclusion Criteria:

age < 18, history of other types of cancer

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Number of groups / cohorts

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Surgery group Patients with pancreatic cancer who undergo surgical treatment only
Chemotherapy group Patients with pancreatic cancer who undergo chemotherapy treatment only
Neoadjuvant group Patients with pancreatic cancer who undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery
Adjuvant group Patients with pancreatic cancer who undergo surgery followed by chemotherapy

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Oklahoma

Investigators

Principal Investigator: Courtney Houchen, MD, University of Oklahoma

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

October 1, 2010

Primary Completion (Actual)

July 1, 2015

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 17, 2012

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria