Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers. It impacts the lives of more than half a million people every year and has the lowest survival rates of any major malignancy.
But a new discovery by a team of international researchers offers a glimmer of hope.
The US and UK scientists have identified a key genetic flaw in pancreatic cancer that could lead to the development of a cure for this deadly disease.
Dr. Maria Hatziapostolou, a researcher at Nottingham Trent University’s John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, highlighted the urgent need for a renewed focus on understanding how pancreatic cancer spreads. The persistently low survival rate for this aggressive disease prompted this new study to decode the underlying cause behind its fast spread.
Underlying cause
As per the Guardian , pancreatic cancer’s growth and spread are fueled by its ability to inactivate key molecules within the HNF4A gene. The gene is crucial for the overall proper functioning of vital organs.
The disruption hinders the gene’s ability to control cell growth, thereby, promoting the spread of the disease. This gene-shutting process is known as DNA methylation.
This discovery offers a new target for therapeutic development. Hatziapostolou told the Guardian : “This work, which has provided new understanding and knowledge of how cancer behaves, will hopefully help pave the way for potential new treatments in the future.”
The study involved analyzing both healthy tissue and pancreatic cancer biopsies to understand the disease.
Development of new treatment options
A major hurdle in fighting pancreatic cancer is the frequent diagnosis at an advanced stage when treatment options are more restricted. Over half of patients don’t survive beyond three months of diagnosis, according to experts.
This research is a crucial first step, offering hope for improved patient outcomes.
Scientists now have a new target – figuring out ways to reverse the effects of DNA methylation and restore the function of the HNF4A gene. This could lead to the development of new drugs that can stop pancreatic cancer in its tracks.
“We desperately need kinder and more effective treatment options for pancreatic cancer. The majority of pancreatic cancers are diagnosed at a late stage, with 80% not being detected until after the disease has spread and is no longer operable,” said Dr Chris Macdonald, the head of research at Pancreatic Cancer UK.
Apart from this new study, the research around pancreatic cancers has been advancing at a fast pace. In a significant development earlier this year, MIT CSAIL researchers unveiled AI programs for early detection. Houston Methodist Academic Institute has developed a rice grain-sized device to deliver drugs directly to the pancreatic tumor.
This new study involved researchers from the University of Nottingham, Stanford University, the University of California, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles. It was funded by Pancreatic Cancer UK.
The details have been published in the journal Gastro Hep Advances.
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