Interrogation of Exosome-mediated Intercellular Signaling in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer
The purpose of this study is to isolate and analyze exosomes, which are tiny carriers of important proteins and nucleic acids that serve as messenger systems in the blood and tissue. Blood and tissue from patients with pancreatic cancer will be compared with blood and tissue from patients with noncancerous pancreatic disease. Including patients without cancer will allow the investigators to establish normal values, which currently do not exist. The investigators will then look to see whether exosome activity has a connection to disease recurrence and outcomes in patients. The results of this study will be the basis for future studies exploring this area.
• All patients ≥ 18 years of age undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy, partial or complete pancreatectomy, and duodenal ampullectomy for presumed ductal adenocarcinoma, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) or pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, without an invasive component; or other benign pancreatic disease will be eligible.
• For third part of the study, recipient of neoadjuvant chemotherapy will be accrued to the neoadjuvant group (25 patients). Patients without neoadjuvant chemotherapy will be accrued to the non-neoadjuvant group (25 patients).