08.08.2025

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of gastrointestinal tumors. Due to the absence of clear symptoms in its early stages, it is usually diagnosed only once metastases have occurred, limiting treatment options. A new diagnostic approach from the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB offers a promising way to change that.

Image: A gloved hand handling a laboratory pipette to transfer a blood sample; Copyright: Fraunhofer IGB

A lab technician prepares a blood sample for DNA methylation analysis, key to detecting pancreatic tumors early using cell-free tumor DNA.

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Key features of the method:

Blood is centrifuged to isolate plasma

cell-free DNA is extracted from plasma

High-throughput sequencing identifies disease-specific methylation patterns

Allows detection of pancreatic tumors without invasive procedures

“After taking a blood sample, we analyze a suitable class of biomarkers. The cell-free DNA released by cells as they die off, which circulates in the soluble components of the blood, is proving to be very promising in this regard. Even degenerated cells release DNA that circulates throughout the body. This means it is not necessary to perform a biopsy of the pancreas. Instead, blood can be taken from a site like the crook of the elbow to find tumor DNA,” explains Kai Sohn.

Differentiation between tumor types

In a clinical proof-of-concept study led by Prof. Georg Weber at University Hospital Erlangen, researchers validated the technique using patient samples:

The method differentiates tumor patients from healthy individuals

It distinguishes pancreatic cancer from non-malignant pancreatitis

Some precancerous stages were also identifiable through unique methylation profiles

“We demonstrated that our method allows researchers not only to tell healthy patients apart from those with tumors but also to distinguish among different gastrointestinal tract tumors,” Sohn adds.

This level of precision enables physicians to identify disease-specific DNA signatures, which can inform targeted treatment strategies.

Towards clinical application

The next step involves a multicenter study using patient samples from various hospitals. The goal is to transition the method into routine clinical diagnostics, making early detection of pancreatic cancer more accessible and less burdensome for patients.

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

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