The project
Obesity is becoming a major public health challenge, as common in one-in-three patients undergoing surgery. However interventions to reduce weight before surgery for better outcomes are limited. GLP-1 agonists are medications that help lower blood sugar levels and promote weight loss.
Professor Sheraz Markar, Professor Samir Pathak and Mr Sivesh Kamarajah are surgeons aiming to investigate whether GLP-1 given before surgery can reduce complications after surgery. GLP-1 is a natural hormone released in the intestine in response to eating.
What are they going to do?
Sheraz and the team want to conduct a research trial in a number of different types of surgery including pancreatic cancer surgery. They want to test whether giving patients GLP-1 before surgery can reduce complications within 30-days from surgery.
Why is this research important?
If GLP-1 is found to reduce post surgical complications this will mean patients with pancreatic cancer can have better outcomes from surgery.
How to get involved
Sheraz is looking for individuals with lived experience of pancreatic cancer surgery to hold a virtual focus group during the evening in October 2025 to gain your insights on the trial design and delivery.
The team are also looking to form a patient advisory group and a patient lead to join their funding application. Should their funding be successful (outcome known in September 2026) the patient advisory group will be consulted throughout the trial. Individuals will be reimbursed for their travel and time.
No scientific background or prior experience is needed to take part in this opportunity.
Next steps
If you would like to join the focus group or are interested in hearing more about the patient advisory group, please contact Mr Sivesh Kamarajah (siveshkk93@gmail.com) quoting the involvement reference ‘PCUK RIN involvement’.
