Research Project Description:

The SHIELD project seeks to revolutionise early detection of pancreatic cancer, focusing on individuals with high heritable genetic risk. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%, primarily due to late-stage diagnosis. Consequently, 85% of PDAC cases are identified too late for curative treatment. However, early detection can significantly improve outcomes, increasing the survival rate to 42% with surgical intervention. There is a pressing need for better early detection methods, especially for those with familial or genetic predispositions. The only FDA-approved biomarker, CA19-9, is limited to monitoring treatment response due to its lack of sensitivity and specificity, while imaging methods often fail to detect early-stage cancers and cause a strain to the healthcare system due to their cost and limited availability. SHIELD aims to validate a new blood-based diagnostic test designed for early PDAC detection in high-risk individuals and pilot an early detection programme in Greece, Slovenia and Lithuania. Developed by partner Reccan, this test uses a 5-plex multiple immunoassay to analyze protein readouts and provides a probability score for pancreatic cancer. Initial studies with over 450 samples showed excellent performance with >91% sensitivity and >96% specificity. The project will validate the test’s clinical performance in a prospective multi-center study across seven EU countries, targeting individuals with familial or genetic predispositions. It will also identify new protein biomarkers for other high-risk indications, such as new-onset diabetes (NOD). Collaboration with national screening authorities will help integrate this test into existing programs, and partnerships with patient organizations will enhance recruitment. SHIELD envisions transforming pancreatic cancer diagnostics by increasing the 5-year survival rate to 30% by 2035 in Europe.

Principal Investigator(s) and Coordinating Institution(s):

  • Prof Dimitris Drikakis (UNIC)
  • Coordinating Institution: Univerzitetni klinicni center Maribor

Researchers at University of Nicosia Medical School:

  • Prof. Dimitris Drikakis (UNRF)

**Other Researcher(s) Participating in the Project at Inst. For Advanced Modelling g and Simulation (UNIC)

  • Dr Nikos Christakis
  • Dr Ioannis Kokkinakis
  • Mr Panos Tirchas
  • Mr Daryl Fung
  • Dr Filippos Sofos

Other Participating Institution(s):

  • Univerzitetni klinicni center Maribor SI | Coordinator
  • PROTAVIO MONOPROSOPI E.P.E Greece | Partner
  • DEXAI – Etica Artificiale IT | Partner
  • DITA, RAZVOJ IN STORITVE, D.O.O. SI | Partner
  • Reccan AB Sweden | Partner
  • Nexuswelt DE | Partner
  • ELLINIKI OMOSPONDIA KARKINOU ELL OK EL | Partner
  • CHAROKOPEIO PANEPISTIMIO EL | Partner
  • Lund University, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund Sweden | Partner
  • EREVNITIKO IDRIMA P.L. CY | Partner
  • KYPRIAKO IDRYMA EREVNON GIA TI MYIKI DISTROFIA CY | Partner
  • FUNDACION INVESTIGATION HM HOSPITALES ES | Partner
  • DIGITAL FOR PLANET-D4P CH | Associated
  • EREVNITIKO PANEPISTIMIAKO INSTITOUTO SYSTIMATON EEL | Partner
  • REGION SYDDANMARK DK | Partner
  • NETCOMPANY-INTRASOFT SA Luxembourg | Partner
  • ETHNIKO KAI KAPODISTRIAKO PANEPISTIMIO ATHINON EL | Partner
  • PHARMECONS EASY ACCESS LTD UK | Associated
  • TRULY LABS AB SE | Partner
  • CENTRE HOSPITALIER UNIVERSITAIRE DE LIEGE BE | Partner
  • VILNIAUS UNIVERSITETAS LT | Partner
  • INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG DE | Partner
  • Cancerföreningen PALEMA SE | Partner
  • ILEKTRONIKI DIAKYVERNISI KOINONIKISASFALISIS AE EL | Partner
  • BRAINS INNOVATIVE CONSULTING SERVICES SINGLE MEM EL | Partner
  • COMPUTER SOLUTIONS ANONYMI VIOMICHANIKI KAI EMPEL | Partner

Research Project Acronym: SHIELD

UNIC Participating Institution: UNRF

Funding Agency: EU

Funding Programme: HORIZON

***UNIC/UNRF Budget: 250000

Total Research Project Budget: 12,555,932.88

Start and End Dates: Start date (per GA + 48 Months)