Pancreatic Cancer (update of QLQ-PAN26)

The EORTC QLQ-PAN26 was developed to assess health-related quality of life (QoL) for people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, since its publication in 1999, treatments for PDAC have evolved e.g. newer chemotherapy regimens. We wish to assess whether the EORTC QLQ-PAN26 still covers the most important QoL issues for people with PDAC and/or needs updating.

We are following the EORTC QLG guidelines for module development. A phase 1-2 study is being conducted across 9 sites across the UK and Europe, India and the Middle East. We are conducting:

1) A systematic review of QoL measures in trials and studies of PDAC.
2) Interviews with Health Care Professionals.
3) Interviews with people diagnosed with PDAC.

A list of QoL issues will be developed and compared to the existing QLQ-PAN26. With our clinical experts and patient and carer panel, we will compile a new list of QoL for inclusion in an updated version of the QLQ-PAN26. This will then be piloted in a future phase 3 study.

• We are completing a literature review to find out what other studies have found out about quality of life outcomes for people with pancreatic cancer.
• We have completed interviews with 15 healthcare professionals with expertise in pancreatic cancer to find out their perspectives on what is important to patient’s quality of life.
• We are currently conducting interviews with people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer across the UK and Europe.  We are  talking  to people with pancreatic cancer who are receiving or have recently completed various treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and supportive care.

Completion of Phase 1: By December 2024.

Completion of Phase 2 and submission of report: End March 2025.

We are updating the content of a questionnaire designed to measure quality of life in people with pancreatic cancer.

We want to include symptoms and issues that are important to their quality of life for people who have diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and are receiving treatment such as chemotherapy.

We are talking to people with pancreatic cancer and health care professionals alongside reviewing the literature to find out what should be covered in an updated questionnaire.