Articles tagged with Pancreatic Cancer
Researchers find a way to target both pancreatic cancer cells and the scar tissue surrounding them, reducing tumor growth and spreading. A new clinical trial aims to test this approach with an existing anti-arthritis drug, potentially improving treatment response and patient survival.
A phase II study by Penn Medicine shows rucaparib helped control cancer growth in patients with BRCA or PALB2 genetic mutations. The results support the use of rucaparib as a maintenance therapy for pancreatic cancer patients, offering a safe and effective alternative to chemotherapy.
Researchers found that about half of pancreatic cancer cell lines are dependent on peroxiredoxin 4 for survival. Targeting PRDX4 led to DNA damage and cell death in cancer cells, but not normal cells. This discovery reveals a potential therapeutic window with less toxicity.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have successfully created 3D organoid models of the human pancreas from human stem cells, including both acinar and ductal structures. The new platform could lead to the discovery of markers for early diagnosis and monitoring of pancreatic cancer.
Nagoya University researchers discovered a molecular pathway that enhances chemotherapy resistance in some pancreatic cancer patients. Targeting the taurine upregulating gene 1 (TUG1) RNA could improve patient response to therapy and increase overall survival.
A recent study published in Gastroenterology reveals that overexpression of the ZIP4 protein in patients with pancreatic cancer enables tumor cells to transform into a shape-shifting form, evading detection and metastasizing to other organs. Understanding this process is crucial for developing targeted therapies to stop metastasis.
Mutant KRAS and p53, the most frequently mutated genes in pancreatic cancer, work together through CREB1 to drive tumor growth and metastasis. Blocking CREB1 reversed these effects and reduced metastases, suggesting a promising new therapeutic target for this deadly cancer.
Researchers found that CD40 agonist treatment before surgery improved T cell attack on tumors, with 82% of treated tumors being T-cell enriched. The treatment also reduced tumor-associated fibrosis and enhanced dendritic cells' maturity. Disease-free survival was 13.8 months, with median overall survival at 23.4 months.
A new study from the University of Arizona Department of Surgery found that pancreatic cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy followed by resection live an average of 19.75 months, compared to 10.12 months for those who received only chemotherapy. The researchers suggest that surgery can improve survival even in difficult cases.
A UCLA team has been awarded two grants totaling $6 million to identify new ways to treat pancreatic cancer. The research aims to untangle the complexities of the disease and develop effective immunotherapeutic approaches.
Researchers discovered pancreatic cancer cells employ macropinocytosis, a novel pathway to procure nutrients when autophagy is inhibited, enabling them to thrive despite starvation. A combination of autophagy and macropinocytosis inhibitors resulted in rapid tumor regression in mouse models.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys found that blocking macropinocytosis in the thick tissue surrounding a pancreatic tumor slows tumor growth. The study suggests that macropinocytosis is an important driver of pancreatic cancer growth and provides a potential therapeutic target.
Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center discovered that collagen produced by cancer-associated fibroblasts slows tumor progression in pancreatic cancer. Collagen helps block immune signals that lead to suppression of anti-tumor immune response.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered that activating nuclear IL-33 in chronic inflammation promotes abnormal cell growth and division, leading to cancer. Inhibiting IL-33's expression may help prevent cancers associated with inflammation.
Researchers predict pancreatic cancer death rates will remain approximately stable for men but continue to rise in women. The researchers predict that 42,300 and 5,000 men in the EU and UK respectively will die from pancreatic cancer by the end of this year.
Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that high type I IFN signaling is present in a subset of pancreatic tumors, leading to decreased NAD and NADH levels. The combination of IFN signaling and NAMPT inhibitors showed promising results in suppressing tumor growth and reducing liver metastases in mice.
A new drug, ProAgio, has been shown to be effective in treating pancreatic cancer and prolonging survival in mice. It works by inducing apoptosis in cancer-associated fibroblasts, reducing the dense stroma that protects tumors from immune systems and conventional drugs.
Researchers identified systemic inflammation as a potential biomarker for predicting patient response to CD40 immunotherapy in advanced pancreatic cancer. Patients with systemic inflammation had worse overall survival rates than those without, suggesting that immune therapies may be less effective in these cases.
MSK scientists found that tissue damage synergizes with specific genetic changes to promote the earliest stages of pancreatic cancer. The researchers identified epigenetic changes that distinguish normal repair processes from cancer-initiating ones at the molecular level.
Researchers discovered that pancreatic cancer changes its microenvironment to evade immune cells, which can be reversed by targeting a specific protein called STAT1. This finding offers a new approach to immunotherapy for this deadly cancer.
Researchers have created a powerful therapeutic platform using a modified virus to treat pancreatic cancer. The treatment, which combines the virus with other drugs, remodels the tumour microenvironment and sensitizes tumours to immunotherapy, significantly extending survival in preclinical models.
A protein called CEACAM7 has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer, offering a safer alternative to current treatments. This discovery has led to the successful development of CAR T cell therapy, which effectively targeted and killed pancreatic cancer cells in a pre-clinical model.
A randomized clinical trial found that pre-surgery chemotherapy did not improve survival rates in early-stage pancreatic cancer patients, but it is a safer alternative. The study paved the way for further treatment testing and molecular analysis of tumor tissue.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center found a potential link between opioid use and increased risk of pancreatic cancer. The study, which analyzed data from 1999-2016, suggests that opioid consumption may be an unidentified risk factor contributing to the rising incidence of pancreatic cancer in the US.
Researchers at Osaka University have developed a novel drug targeting LAT1 to deliver radionuclides into malignant tumors, selectively killing cancer cells. The approach offers high therapeutic effects with few side-effects, revolutionizing radionuclide therapy for pancreatic cancer and other malignancies.
A recent study published in Oncogenesis suggests that a compound derived from the thunder god vine can attack 'super-enhancers' in the DNA of cancer cells, as well as the stroma surrounding the tumor. This disruption leads to accelerated cancer cell death and improved clinical outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients.
Scientists have developed a new combination therapy that suppresses the MAPK pathway by holding cancer-driving proteins in a death grip. The treatment has shown promise in treating aggressive subtypes of cancers with specific mutations in genes called RAS or NF1.
Post-neoadjuvant therapy changes in metabolic metrics from PET/MRI and morphologic metrics from CT were associated with pathologic response and overall survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Serum CA 19-9 levels did not predict pathologic response or survival.
A team of researchers identified a process that promotes the growth of pancreatic cancers and developed a method to disrupt it. By inhibiting adhesion molecule CDH11, they were able to reduce tumor growth, increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy, and extend mouse survival.
Researchers have discovered that Netrin-G1 helps pancreatic cancer cells survive by protecting them from the immune system and supplying them with nutrients. The study found that an antibody targeting Netrin-G1 was able to stunt tumor development in mice, demonstrating its potential as a new treatment.
Researchers have identified RNF43 as a potential biomarker to predict which cancers will respond to Wnt inhibitor therapies. This discovery brings personalized medicine in cancer therapy closer to reality, offering new hope for targeted treatment and improved patient outcomes.
Scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School have discovered that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a key role in pancreatic cancer development by modifying cell growth. The study highlights the importance of investigating lncRNAs in living organisms and provides potential new targets for precision cancer therapies.
Researchers have developed a novel antibody-drug conjugate that selectively recognizes and penetrates pancreatic tumors, reducing tumor size and metastasis. The treatment, which uses MRI-based molecular imaging to monitor its effect, shows promise as a more precise approach than existing treatments.
Pancreatic cancer cells use nerve growth factor to signal nerves to grow into dense tumors and secrete nutrients like serine. This allows the cancer cells to multiply despite nutrient starvation, highlighting a unique adaptation that contributes to their deadliness.
A new study creates a detailed portrait of the immune response in pancreatic cancer, highlighting individual differences and pointing to the need for tailored treatments. The research identifies a potential biomarker, TIGIT, that may be targeted by future therapies.
Researchers developed a simple blood test to distinguish between pancreatic cancers that respond to treatment and those that do not. The test detects the levels of a sugar called sTRA, which is produced by a certain subtype of cancer and escapes into the bloodstream.
Researchers developed a vaccine targeting KRAS gene mutations in lung, bowel and pancreatic cancers. In mice studies, vaccinated animals showed improved survival rates compared to unvaccinated ones.
Researchers developed a novel epigenomic approach to detect pancreatic cancer in its early stages using blood draws, identifying distinctive patterns in thousands of genes that serve as biomarkers. This technology has the potential to lead to more timely treatment and improved patient survival.
Researchers define two molecular subtypes of pancreatic carcinoma with distinct aggressiveness, differing in the origin and development. The study reveals a novel mechanism called viral mimicry that promotes cancer growth and metastasis.
A new study analyzed 1,435,350 patients with concurrent diabetes and obesity over a 20-year period. Bariatric surgery was found to significantly reduce the prevalence of pancreatic cancer (0.32% vs 0.19%, p<0.05) in obese diabetic patients. The majority of patients who underwent surgery were female.
A Yale professor has received a $500,000 grant to develop a versatile and highly scalable strategy for treating pancreatic cancer. The technology, called MAEGI, targets multiple differences in cancer cells and activates multiple immune system responses.
Researchers found that changing gene expression first can improve the effectiveness of immunotherapies in battling aggressive pancreatic cancer. The study suggests a promising approach by administering an epigenetically-acting drug before immune checkpoint inhibition, doubling average survival time in preclinical models.
Researchers used single-cell sequencing to genetically identify cell types and subtypes in pancreatic tumors and surrounding stroma. The study identified distinct cell populations, including tumor cells, immune cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts, which correlated with patient clinical outcomes.
The study provides a comprehensive analysis of current clinical trials in pancreatic cancer, revealing that most trials focus on immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation. The authors conclude that these approaches have yet to strongly impact the disease, emphasizing the need for new discoveries and biomarkers.
A team of researchers identified specific therapeutic targets for adenosquamous cancer of the pancreas (ASCP), a deadly form of pancreatic cancer. The study used multiple analysis methods to identify mutations and genomic variants, including FGFR signaling and RORC, which could be targeted by existing drugs.
A new drug developed by University of Sheffield researchers could block signals from a hormone that helps cancer cells grow and spread, potentially improving life expectancy and quality of life for pancreatic cancer patients. The compound targets a specific receptor in cancer cells without affecting vital bodily processes.
Researchers discovered increased levels of neuroprotein sortilin in pancreatic cancer cells, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target. Sortilin's expression was found higher in female patients and contributed to invasive properties of pancreatic cancer cells.
Researchers found an association between recent weight loss and increased pancreatic cancer risk among individuals with diabetes, especially those with a longer duration of diabetes. The study suggests that maintaining weight loss may be crucial in reducing the risk of pancreatic cancer in people with diabetes.
The COMBAT trial, a phase IIa clinical trial, has shown promising results with pembrolizumab and BL-8040 combination therapy, achieving a 32% meaningful tumor shrinkage in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. This response rate is double that of traditional chemotherapy, offering hope for improved treatment outcomes.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have discovered a novel drug target, PPP1R1B, that stops the spread of pancreatic cancer in mice. Increased levels of this protein have been found in tumor samples from people with metastatic pancreatic cancer, suggesting it has therapeutic potential.
Researchers have developed a mouse model of pancreatic cancer that replicates two subtypes of the disease, classifying them as classical PDAC and basal PDAC. The study reveals key genes driving the aggressive nature of basal PDAC, offering potential targets for therapy.
Researchers at Okayama University developed a novel 3D cell culture model that accurately replicates the fibrotic components of pancreatic cancer. The model allows for the tuning of fibrosis levels, enabling a better understanding of how it hinders cancer treatment and its therapeutic ramifications.
A new clinical trial has tested a cocktail of chemotherapy drugs for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, showing a median survival time of 14.5 months and a 1-year survival rate of 60.9%. The treatment strategy involves injections of paclitaxel into the abdomen and gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel into the blood.
A new study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that surgical delays of 30-40 days are associated with shorter survival times in patients with colon cancer. For pancreatic and gastric cancers, the results indicate that longer surgical delays may increase cancer progression and worsen patient outcomes.
A study using electronic health records found that AI can predict who is at higher risk of pancreatic cancer up to 20 months before diagnosis. The model could help narrow down the number of people needed to be screened, potentially reducing false positives and improving survival rates.
A new study has discovered a direct link between mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene and the KRAS oncogene, driving the formation of pancreatic cancer. The research provides insight into the mechanism that regulates cell activity, offering potential therapeutic targets for future development.
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have shown that a protein called Slug regulates cell movement and can be inhibited to suppress pancreatic cancer metastasis. The study also identified two druggable targets, ERK and eIF2 alpha, which hold promise as treatments for the deadly disease.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have found that a combination therapy using SapC-DOPS nanovesicles and standard chemotherapy may improve outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer. The study suggests that this approach could potentially extend lives and provide hope to patients with limited treatment options.
An exploratory study found that metformin combined with rapamycin was well-tolerated in patients with stable or responding metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDA) after 6 months of chemotherapy. The combination was associated with exceptionally long survival rates and improved disease stability.
The study recommends prioritizing pancreatic surgery for non-COVID-19 patients and informing them of additional risks. Surgeons also emphasize the need for protective features in operating rooms and proper triage for hospital resources during the pandemic.