Prediction model for early-stage pancreatic cancer using routinely measured blood biomarkers

Accurate risk prediction models using routinely measured biomarkers for pancreatic cancer could facilitate early detection an prevent potentially unnecessary diagnostic test for patients at low risk. A multinational (4 centers in 3 countries) diagnostic study including 545 adult patients with pancreatic cancer or benign periampullary disease found that a prediction model using commonly measured blood biomarkers showed excellent discriminative performance and could be used to reduce the number of unnecessary biopsy procedures by 6% without missing early-stage pancreatic cancer. The authors conclude that in patients with suspected pancreatic cancer, this simple prediction rule may improve detection of early-stage disease.