A study found that fitness trackers can supplement current assessments of health status and physical function, showing increased daily activity correlates with positive patient ratings and lower adverse events. Wearable devices may help predict treatment complications and enable timely interventions.
A new study published in the British Journal of Surgery found that breath analyses can identify pancreatic cancer compounds. Researchers detected 12 specific volatile organic compounds indicative of pancreatic cancer, offering potential for early detection and treatment.
Researchers discovered that pancreatic cancer cells' ability to alter their characteristics and shape affects where metastases form. The presence of E-cadherin protein controls this process, with its absence leading to lung metastases but not liver metastases.
A multidisciplinary team from UGR has developed software that can analyze heterogeneous genetic expression data to identify potential pancreatic cancer biomarkers. The new integrative system has identified 5 commonly expressed potential biomarkers and 28 novel genes that are differentially expressed in the meta-analysis.
Researchers have discovered a potential diagnostic method for pancreatic cancer in patients with early onset diabetes by analyzing blood sugar levels over time. The ENDPAC score model identifies patients at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer, providing a new way to diagnose the disease at an earlier stage.
A new study from MIT and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that pancreatic tumors can cause weight loss due to reduced digestive enzymes, but treatment with enzyme replacement did not improve survival. The researchers suggest a potential protective mechanism underlying this process.
Researchers found six genes with mutations that substantially increase a person's risk for pancreatic cancer, even in those without family history. The study recommends genetic testing for all pancreatic cancer patients as the new standard of care.
Researchers have obtained key information about proteins in single human cells, revealing molecular happenings inside a cell. The nanoPOTS technology allows for the analysis of samples that are 500 times smaller than previously possible, providing vital insights into cellular behavior.
A new study suggests that recent-onset type 2 diabetes may be an early manifestation of pancreatic cancer. The research found a two-fold increased risk of pancreatic cancer among individuals with recent-onset diabetes compared to those with long-standing diabetes, particularly in African Americans and Latinos.
A new study from the Keck School of Medicine of USC shows that African-Americans and Latinos who are diagnosed with diabetes after age 50 are at increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Late-onset diabetes may be an early sign of pancreatic cancer, providing a potential opportunity for screening.
Researchers found that PARP inhibitors, such as rucaparib, showed promise in treating pancreatic cancer in patients with BRCA mutations. In a small study, 32% of patients experienced disease control after treatment.
Researchers developed a precision-medicine approach using patient-derived organoids to predict treatment responses in pancreatic cancer. The method identified specific gene signatures that can guide the selection of chemotherapy regimens, offering hope for improved survival rates and quality of life.
Avoiding excess body weight and maintaining a stable weight in middle adulthood may help prevent several obesity-related cancers in women. High weight gain is associated with a significantly increased risk of pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, and endometrial cancer.
A new diagnostic test developed by researchers at UC San Diego shows promise for detecting pancreatic cancer earlier. The test uses electronic chip-based system to extract exosomes directly from blood, providing results in less than an hour. The findings have the potential to detect cancer early on without invasive surgical procedures.
A phase II clinical trial suggests patients with aggressive pancreatic cancer who harbor BRCA mutations may benefit from rucaparib, a PARP inhibitor approved for ovarian cancer. The study found 32% of patients experienced a clinical benefit, including four patients with responses and two with stable disease.
A small study of adults with pancreatic cancer reveals that patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations have poorer overall survival rates compared to those without the mutations. However, those with BRCA1 or BRCA2 had better survival rates with platinum-based chemotherapy.
A team led by CSHL Professor Douglas Fearon found that dormant cancer cells are already in the liver before surgery, expressing MHC1 and CK19 markers. In a post-operative stress-induced state, these cells re-express markers and begin to divide, forming seeds of metastatic lesions.
Pancreatic cancer researchers and clinicians will work together to build a state-wide biobank, collecting data from diverse patient groups to minimize disparities and personalize care. The goal is to develop more effective therapeutic strategies tailored to individual needs, improving survival rates and quality of life.
Research reveals that obesity suppresses the epithelial defense against cancer, allowing malignant cells to remain and develop tumors. Aspirin treatment enhances this defense mechanism, suggesting a potential role in cancer prevention.
Dr. Christian Marín-Muller developed a microRNA treatment for pancreatic cancer and founded Speratum CR, a biotech company with the goal of creating effective therapies. The company has successfully completed preclinical studies and is planning to initiate its first human trial.
The Pancreatic Cancer Collective, funded by the Lustgarten Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer, will accelerate research for pancreatic cancer patients. The initiative aims to improve diagnosis and treatments, as well as support the next generation of pancreatic cancer investigators.
Seven new grants will support studies on personalized treatments, non-invasive cancer cell killing, and early tumor detection using advanced imaging techniques. These projects aim to improve survival statistics for pancreatic cancer patients and accelerate research progress.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio have created a novel technology that injects a modified virus into the mouse pancreas with pro-cancer molecules, resulting in human-like tumors. This breakthrough could lead to new insights into pancreatic cancer initiation and progression, as well as spur new drug development.
Research highlights the connection between diet, obesity, and various types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. Dietary interventions like calorie restriction and low-fat diets may help reduce obesity-related cancer risk.
A study found that bacterial composition differs in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, promoting immune suppression and tumor growth. Eliminating certain bacteria slowed cancer progression and increased T-cell infiltration into tumors.
Research found that gut bacteria dominate in patients with pancreatic cancer, preventing immune system attacks on tumor cells. Antibiotics slowed cancer growth and reprogrammed immune cells to recognize cancer cells again.
The non-profit organization Destroy Pancreatic Cancer is funding a new clinical trial designed by Dr. Daniel D. Von Hoff at the Piedmont Cancer Institute, aiming to improve treatment options for pancreatic cancer patients. The trial will enroll up to 25 patients and is part of TGen's efforts to find a cure for this deadly disease.
Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a new method of treating pancreatic cancer using dual thermal ablation, which combines heating and freezing to kill cancer cells. The study found that this approach achieves complete cell death in pancreatic cancer cells more effectively than heating or freezing alone.
Researchers discovered five new regions in the human genome associated with increased pancreatic cancer risk, including variants in genes that regulate cell growth and tumor suppression. The findings may lead to more targeted treatments and early detection screening for pancreatic cancer.
Researchers at CNIO discovered that a gene controlling inflammation also increases pancreatic cancer risk. The study suggests new strategies for prevention and detection of the disease.
A recent study published in Nature revealed that gene duplication plays a crucial role in explaining the aggressiveness and early metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Researchers discovered that specific gene amplifications occur along various evolutionary pathways of the cancer, leading to tumor development.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have successfully modified a common flu virus to target and kill pancreatic cancer cells. The new technique could potentially become a promising new treatment for patients with the aggressive disease.
Researchers link oral health to cancer prevention via bacteria associated with periodontitis. Periodontitis may facilitate the spread of oral bacteria and their virulence factors to other parts of the body, contributing to cancer development.
A new study published in Cancer Cell suggests that stress accelerates the development of pancreatic cancer by triggering the release of 'fight-or-flight' hormones. Beta-blockers, commonly used medications that inhibit these hormones, were found to increase survival in a mouse model of the disease.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered an inverse correlation between a known oncogene and tumor suppressant, leading to extended survival rates in pancreatic cancer patients. A novel nanoparticle delivery system selectively targets cancer cells, rendering them dormant or eradicating the tumor altogether.
A study published in Journal of Cell Biology identifies SUV420H2 as an epigenetic orchestrator of pancreatic cancer cells' aggressive behavior. Reducing SUV420H2 levels makes pancreatic cancer cells more vulnerable to existing therapies.
Researchers at TGen and Baylor Scott & White Research Institute are developing an early detection system for pancreatic cancer using a non-invasive blood test. The goal is to identify patients before symptoms appear or spread, improving mortality rates.
A new molecular test detects telomere fusions in pancreatic tumor and cyst fluid samples to predict high-grade dysplasia and invasive cancer. This assay helps physicians determine whether lesions require surgical resection or can be safely monitored.
Researchers at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center identified a substance called Gdf-15, released by pancreatic cancer cells, that protects them from immune cell macrophages. GDF-15 inhibits nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor production in macrophages, allowing tumor cells to survive and grow.
The Sabga Foundation has pledged $1 million to support a clinical trial at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) in testing revolutionary new treatments for pancreatic cancer. This initiative aims to find answers to eradicate this devastating disease, which claims hundreds of thousands of lives worldwide.
Researchers found that FAIMS technology can effectively differentiate between pancreatic cancer patients and healthy individuals, with a sensitivity and specificity of 85% and 75%, respectively. The test is non-invasive, affordable, and can analyze up to 20 urine samples per hour.
A research team led by BU School of Medicine professor Avrum Spira is developing diagnostic tools to intercept lung cancer at its earliest stage using innovative approaches like nasal swabs and blood tests. The goal is to confirm whether lung abnormalities found on chest imaging are benign lung disease or signs of cancer.
Researchers identified four genes - KRAS, CDKN2A, SMAD4, and TP53 - that influence pancreatic cancer survival. Patients with three or four altered genes had poorer disease-free and overall survival rates compared to those with single or dual alterations.
Research shows long-term aspirin use significantly reduces digestive cancer incidence, with substantial reductions in liver and oesophageal cancers. Aspirin use also shows promise in reducing risk of certain other cancers, while raising cardiovascular risk when stopped.
Researchers discovered a protein-cleaving enzyme called FAP that plays a role in shaping the physical nature of the stroma, promoting tumor growth and metastasis. Deleting or inhibiting FAP in mouse models of pancreatic cancer slowed disease progression and reduced cancer spread to other organs.
Pancreatic cancer is a deadly and lethal disease with an 8% 5-year relative survival rate. Researchers at UC San Diego Health, in partnership with other institutions, have received a $7 million grant to develop new ways to prevent the disease, which comprises 3% of all cancer cases but is the fourth leading cause of cancer death.
Researchers from four top teams receive funding to tackle cancers of the lung and pancreas using a new 'interception' approach, targeting precancerous cells before they turn into cancer cells. The initiative aims to catch cancers early, when treatment is more successful.
Scientists have successfully synthesized a promising anticancer molecule, BE-43547A(2), which shows unprecedented activity against pancreatic cancer stem cells. The compound reduces cancer stem cell proliferation by 21-fold and abolishes tumor-initiating capability.
The study found a near doubling of median overall survival (27.8 months) and no grade 3 or higher toxicities for patients receiving higher radiation doses with adaptive MR guided radiation therapy, compared to those receiving lower doses via non-adaptive treatments.
A new clinical trial, led by TGen's Dr. Von Hoff, will pair an immunotherapy drug with a Vitamin D Receptor agonist to treat pancreatic cancer. The study aims to remodel the tumor microenvironment and improve the delivery of immunotherapy.
Researchers at Salk Institute have discovered that modified vitamin D can reprogram the tumor environment, allowing Keytruda to invade and destroy pancreatic tumors. The clinical trial aims to combine vitamin D with immunotherapy for a potential game-changer in pancreatic cancer treatment.
A Stanford-led study discovered a specific mutation in the p53 gene that enhances its anti-tumor activity, creating a 'super tumor suppressor' that protects against pancreatic cancer. The researchers found that this mutant hyperactivates p53, leading to a surge of activity in downstream target genes.
A recent study by Tal Danino at the Data Science Institute demonstrates that bacteria in pancreatic tumors degrade a chemotherapy drug, Gemcitabine. The study found that antibiotics were effective in killing these bacteria in over 70% of mice, leading to rapid tumor progression without treatment.
Anti-RAS antibodies are a critical research tool, but their poor reliability limits replicable study results. Researchers identified selectively recognizing each of the four human RAS proteins only in Western blot assays.
A genetic test developed by UPMC scientists proved highly sensitive in detecting pancreatic cysts associated with aggressive pancreatic cancer. The test, PancreaSeq°, correctly classified patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) and identified cysts that would progress to cancer with 100% accuracy.
A randomized clinical trial compared laparoscopic and open surgeries for pancreatic cancer patients. Laparoscopy showed reduced blood loss, decreased transfusions and shorter hospital stays without differing complications or pathological outcomes.
Researchers have identified a new strategy to target KRAS mutant cancer using a Galectin-3 inhibitor. The study found that binding of the protein to a specific cell surface receptor amplifies the advantages driven by mutant KRAS, creating a unique vulnerability that can be targeted with an existing drug.
Researchers have identified a zinc transporter, ZIP4, that is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer cells, making it a potential target for new drugs. The study reveals the structure of ZIP4's core, which conducts zinc transport, and identifies an unprecedented fold for membrane transporters.
Researchers developed a combined 'liquid biopsy' that detected markers from both DNA and protein products of DNA, showing twice the accuracy of detection as DNA alone. The test identified early-stage pancreatic cancer in 64% of patients, improving on the 30% detection rate achieved with DNA testing alone.
A new app, BiliScreen, uses computer vision algorithms and machine learning to detect increased bilirubin levels in the eye, a potential early sign of pancreatic cancer. The app has been shown to correctly identify cases with an accuracy rate of 89.7%, offering a non-invasive and easy-to-use screening tool.