Cell-Surface Plectin in the Diagnosis of Cholangiocarcinoma from ERCP-directed Biliary Samples (NCT06651346)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignancy that is most-often diagnosed with ERCP-directed cytology brushings of the biliary tree, but the yield on this cytology has been previously shown to only be 5%-40%. Additionally, the vast majority (approximately 80%) of patients are not diagnosed until they are surgically unresectable (due to late stage at time of diagnosis), at which point there is no chance for cure and their only options are palliative. Therefore, better diagnostic modalities are needed. Plectin is a structural protein located inside of most cells, but it has been shown to be expressed on the cell surface of malignant cells in the pancreaticobiliary tract. The investigators hypothesize that ERCP-guided biliary samples can provide cells and immunohistochemical staining can detect cell surface plectin in patients with cholangiocarcinoma. This would be a novel diagnostic tool which could greatly reduce the time to diagnosis. A previously performed study pilot study at the University of Virginia (unpublished) showed that ERCP-directed biliary biopsies in patients with known cholangiocarcinoma had positive plectin immunohistochemistry, thus showing this is possible. In this current study, patients with a biliary stricture or tumor who are already undergoing ERCP as part of their routine clinical care (i.e. no procedures will be done exclusively for this research study) will undergo an additional biopsy and/or brushing to be assessed for cell-surface plectin expression via immunohistochemistry. The investigators hypothesize that plectin immunohistochemistry will have a higher sensitivity for cholangiocarcinoma than biopsies and/or brushings (cytology) alone.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (1 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (2 items).
Location: University of Virginia — Charlottesville, Virginia
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Age \< 18 years old; inability to consent
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, Virginia
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.