ScienceDaily: Pancreatic Cancer News

Breakthrough in the understanding of how pancreatic cancer cells ingest nutrients points to new drug target

Mon, 13 May 2013 09:50:50 EDT

In a landmark cancer study, researchers have unraveled a longstanding mystery about how pancreatic tumor cells feed themselves, opening up new therapeutic possibilities for a notoriously lethal disease with few treatment options. Pancreatic cancer kills nearly 38,000 Americans annually, making it a leading cause of cancer death. The life expectancy for most people diagnosed with it is less than a year.

Radioactive bacteria targets metastatic pancreatic cancer

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:47:47 EDT

Researchers have developed a therapy for pancreatic cancer that uses Listeria bacteria to selectively infect tumor cells and deliver radioisotopes into them. The experimental treatment dramatically decreased the number of metastases (cancers that have spread to other parts of the body) in a mouse model of highly aggressive pancreatic cancer without harming healthy tissue.

Cancer metastasis: When a KISS (1) goes bad

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:28:28 EDT

KISS 1 is a metastasis-suppressor gene which helps to prevent the spread of cancers, including melanoma, pancreatic and ovarian cancers to name a few. But new research shows that kisspeptins -- peptide products of KISS1, actually make some breast cancers worse, with a higher tumor grade and metastatic potential.

Prostate cancer risk rises in men with inherited genetic condition

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:09:09 EDT

Men with an inherited genetic condition called Lynch syndrome face a higher lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer and appear to develop the disease at an earlier age, according to a new study.

New metabolite-based diagnostic test could help detect pancreatic cancer early

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:43:43 EDT

A new diagnostic test that uses a scientific technique known as metabolomic analysis may be a safe and easy screening method that could improve the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer through earlier detection.

Probing how pancreatic cancers metastasize

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 10:14:14 EDT

Researchers have discovered that a protein found in the cells surrounding pancreatic cancers play a role in the spread of the disease to other parts of the body.

Bitter melon juice prevents pancreatic cancer in mouse models

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:49:49 EDT

A new study shows that bitter melon juice restricts the ability of pancreatic cancer cells to metabolize glucose, thus cutting the cells' energy source and eventually killing them.

Bariatric surgery restores pancreatic function by targeting belly fat

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 08:12:12 EST

Researchers have found that gastric bypass surgery reverses diabetes by uniquely restoring pancreatic function in moderately obese patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.

Scientists create method to personalize chemotherapy drug selection

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:26:26 EST

In laboratory studies, scientists have developed a way to personalize chemotherapy drug selection for cancer patients by using cell lines created from their own tumors.

Molecular master switch for pancreatic cancer identified, potential predictor of treatment outcome

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:10:10 EST

A recently described master regulator protein may explain the development of aberrant cell growth in the pancreas spurred by inflammation. The team profiled gene expression of mouse pancreatic ductal and duct-like cells from different states -- embryonic development, acute pancreatitis and K-ras mutation-driven carcinogenesis -- to find the molecular regulation of these processes.

Study finds potential to match tumors with known cancer drugs

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:33:33 EST

Researchers have found a new way to match potential cancer treatments with an individual tumor: assess the landscape of kinases and find a kinase inhibitor that goes after the highest-expressing kinases in that tumor.

Gene may help predict best chemotherapy treatment for pancreatic cancer patients

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 12:34:34 EST

Researchers have identified a gene that may better predict survival for pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. The scientists conducted a study that better defines the role of ribonucleotide reductase M1 (RRM1). The RRM1 gene encodes the regulatory subunit of ribonucleotide reductase, the molecular target of gemcitabine, a commonly used chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer.

Drug combination extends pancreatic cancer patient survival, study suggests

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:14:14 EST

A multi-center Phase III clinical trial demonstrates that Abraxane (nab-paclitaxel) plus gemcitabine is the first combination of cancer drugs to extend survival of late-stage pancreatic cancer patients compared to standard treatment.

Cancer mortality down 20 percent from 1991 peak

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 10:58:58 EST

An annual report from the American Cancer Society finds as of 2009, the overall death rate for cancer in the United States had declined 20 percent from its peak in 1991, translating to the avoidance of approximately 1.2 million deaths from cancer, 152,900 of these in 2009 alone.

New molecule to target in pancreatic cancer treatment

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:23:23 EST

Researchers have identified a new target to improve treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cancer, which accounts for more than 95 percent of pancreatic cancer cases.

Gene variation may shape bladder cancer treatment, study suggests

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 11:38:38 EST

Patients who have inherited a specific common genetic variant develop bladder cancer tumors that strongly express a protein known as prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), which is also expressed in many pancreatic and prostate tumors, according to new research.

How innate immune cells are involved in the development of type 1 diabetes

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:34:34 EST

A new study by researchers in France sheds light on type 1 diabetes -- a disease characterized by the self-destruction of the pancreatic cells that produce insulin. The research reveals the role of the innate immune cells, especially the dendritic cells, that cause the activation of the killer T-lymphocytes whose action is directed against the p pancreatic cells. The results obtained in mice make it possible to consider new ways of regulating the auto-immune reaction generated by the innate immune cells.

Low adiponcetin associated with increased pancreatic cancer risk

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 19:09:09 EST

Low prediagnostic levels of circulating adiponectin were associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, according to a new study.

New screening approach identified potential drug combinations for difficult-to-treat forms of melanoma

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:35:35 EST

A novel approach to identifying potential anticancer drug combinations revealed that pairing cholesterol-reducing drugs called statins with cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors might provide an effective approach to treating intractable melanomas driven by mutations in the NRAS and KRAS gene.

Targeting neurotransmitter may help treat gastrointestinal conditions

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:58:58 EST

Selective targeting of the neurotransmitter that differentially affects brain cells that control the two distinct functions of the pancreas may allow for new medication therapies for conditions like diabetes, dyspepsia and gastro-esophageal reflux, according to researchers.

Study sheds light on how pancreatic cancer begins

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:03:03 EST

Scientists examined the tumor-initiating events leading to pancreatic cancer (also called pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or PDA) in mice. Their work may help in the search for earlier detection methods and treatments.

New drug for pancreatic cancer: Phase III study results show improvement in overall survival

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:23:23 EST

A new cancer drug combination demonstrated significant improvement in overall survival of late-stage pancreatic cancer patients compared to those receiving standard treatment, according to results of a Phase III clinical trial.

Unmasking the deadly secrets of pancreatic cancer

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 11:02:02 EDT

A large-scale study that defines the complexity of underlying mutations responsible for pancreatic cancers in more than 100 patients has just been published.

Genome analysis of pancreas tumors reveals new pathway

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:33:33 EDT

The latest genomic analysis of pancreatic tumors identified two new pathways involved in the disease, information that could be capitalized on to develop new and earlier diagnostic tests for the disease.

Blood chromosome differences are linked to pancreatic cancer

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:48:48 EDT

A new study shows that a blood marker is linked to pancreatic cancer. Researchers say the new study is the first time pancreatic cancer risk has been linked to differences in telomeres' length in blood cells.

New drug to target and destroy tumor cells developed: Minnelide gives new hope for treating pancreatic cancer

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 10:27:27 EDT

Researchers have developed new drug to target tumor cells in pancreatic cancer. The study is based on successful outcomes in a mouse model -- results researchers expect to carry over to human patients when the drug potentially begins human trials in 2013. The drug, Minnelide, is a type of injectable chemotherapy designed to target tumor cells. The drug works by inhibiting a heat shock protein, HSP 70, which has been proven to aid the growth of tumor cells. By stopping HSP 70 from working, Minnelide disperses the cells integral to the tumor's growth and the cancer disintegrates.

Referring cancer patients to more experienced and successful hospitals for surgery could save lives

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 10:27:27 EDT

Researchers report that referring cancer patients to hospitals with better track records for surgery could save lives and not raise the cost to patients.

First whole genome sequencing of multiple pancreatic cancer patients has been outlined

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 17:21:21 EDT

Whole genome sequencing -- spelling all 3 billion letters in the human genome -- "is an obvious and powerful method for advancing our understanding of pancreatic cancer," according to a new study.

Recovering 'bodyguard' cells in pancreas may restore insulin production in diabetics

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 13:40:40 EDT

T regulatory cells in the pancreatic lymph nodes play important role in diabetes onset and recovery of the insulin production in diabetic patients, say researchers.

New study sheds light on bone marrow stem cell therapy for pancreatic recovery

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:16:16 EDT

Researchers have found that a blood vessel-building gene boosts the ability of human bone marrow stem cells to sustain pancreatic recovery in a laboratory mouse model of insulin-dependent diabetes.

Smoking, heavy drinking linked to earlier onset of pancreatic cancer

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 08:32:32 EDT

Those who smoke and drink heavily may develop pancreatic cancer at an earlier age than those who don’t. But quitting reduces the extra risk, a new study shows.

Oral bacteria may signal pancreatic cancer risk

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 12:15:15 EDT

Pancreatic cancer is highly lethal and difficult to detect early. In a new study, researchers report that people who had high levels of antibodies for an infectious oral bacterium turned out to have double the risk for developing the cancer. High antibody levels for harmless oral bacteria, meanwhile, predicted a reduced pancreatic cancer risk.

Lack of oxygen in cancer cells leads to growth and metastasis

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 12:35:35 EDT

The proteins HIF-1a and CD24 have both been implicated in the aggressive characteristics of hypoxic cancers. A new study shows that HIF-1a drives CD24 overexpression, and that CD24 then drives aggressive tumor features.

Cancer-causing gene alone doesn’t trigger pancreatic cancer, research finds

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:21:21 EDT

More than a cancer-causing gene is needed to trigger pancreatic cancer, a study led by Mayo Clinic has found. A second factor creates a “perfect storm” that allows tumors to form, the researchers say. The study overturns the current belief that a mutation in the KRAS oncogene is enough to initiate pancreatic cancer and unrestrained cell growth.

Mechanism provides clues for research into pancreatic diabetes

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 09:32:32 EDT

Mice develop pancreatic diabetes when they lack certain genes in the E2F group, and to understand how this happens, scientists have focused on the molecular mechanism behind it.

Study helps pancreatic cancer patients make hard choices

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 14:38:38 EDT

Researchers have examined SEER data on 25,476 pancreatic cancer patients, correlating days spent on medical care with disease stage, type of treatment and survival time. The first of its kind, the study is intended to provide physicians and patients with vital information needed to maximize quality of life for people with pancreatic cancer.

'Organic' study of live pancreatic tissue yields new opportunities for diabetes research

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 15:15:15 EDT

An 'all-natural' method for studying pancreatic islets, the small tissues responsible for insulin production and regulation in the body, has recently been developed to try to track metabolic changes in living tissues in 'real time' and without additional chemicals or drugs.

High dietary antioxidant intake might cut pancreatic cancer risk

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 19:32:32 EDT

Increasing dietary intake of the antioxidant vitamins C, E, and selenium could help cut the risk of developing pancreatic cancer by up to two thirds, suggests new research.

Stem cell research aids understanding of cancer

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 09:22:22 EDT

Scientists have discovered a novel marker that plays an important role in our understanding of how cancer develops in the liver, pancreas and esophagus.

First robot-assisted distal pancreatectomy performed

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 17:19:19 EDT

Minimally invasive procedure to remove part of pancreas offers a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery.

Potential treatment target identified in an animal model of pancreatic cancer

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 19:16:16 EDT

Detailed analysis of genes expressed in circulating tumor cells -- cells that break off from solid tumors and travel through the bloodstream -- has identified a potential treatment target in metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Genetic marker in vitamin D receptor gene associated with increased pancreatic cancer survival

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 22:57:57 EDT

Pancreatic cancer patients with a genetic marker linked to increased expression of the receptor for vitamin D have higher rates of overall survival, according to new findings.

Sun exposure and sun-sensitive skin type decreased risk for pancreatic cancer

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 10:38:38 EDT

High levels of ultraviolet radiation at an individual's birth location, sun-sensitive skin type and a history of skin cancer each decreased risk for pancreatic cancer, according to new study results.

Unexpected discovery highlights new role for cell death regulator

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 18:27:27 EDT

Scientists have already revealed the mechanism by which high alcohol intake can induce pancreatitis and its progression to pancreatic cancer. Now a new study reveals a hitherto unknown interaction between two well known molecules, which has important implications for our understanding of inflammation and cancer in the pancreas as well as other organs.

Insight into pancreatic cancer progression, new target for treatment

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 13:37:37 EDT

Researchers have made a key discovery that could help doctors treat one of the deadliest cancers. A new study reveals a strategy used by pancreatic cancer cells to tinker with the immune system in a way that enables them to escape destruction by specialized immune cells.

Pancreatic cancer may be detected with simple intestinal probe

Mon, 21 May 2012 21:35:35 EDT

By simply shining a tiny light within the small intestine, close to that organ’s junction with the pancreas, physicians have been able to detect pancreatic cancer 100 percent of the time in a small study. The light, attached to a probe, measures changes in cells and blood vessels in the small intestine produced by a growing cancer in the adjoining pancreas.

Google goes cancer: Search engine algorithm finds cancer biomarkers

Thu, 17 May 2012 19:31:31 EDT

The strategy used by Google to decide which pages are relevant for a search query can also be used to determine which proteins in a patient's cancer are relevant for the disease progression.

Early Biomarker for Pancreatic Cancer Identified

Tue, 15 May 2012 07:03:03 EDT

Researchers have identified a new biomarker and therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer, an often-fatal disease for which there is currently no reliable method for early detection or therapeutic intervention.

New method yields insulin-producing pancreatic cell clusters

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:21:21 EDT

Three-dimensional clusters of pancreatic beta-cells that live much longer and secrete more insulin than single cells grown in the laboratory are valuable new tools for studying pancreatic diseases such as diabetes and for testing novel therapies. Growing pancreatic cells in the laboratory is challenging, in part because to survive and function normally they require cell-cell contact.

Death cap mushroom poison to arrest pancreatic cancer in mice, study suggests

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:29:29 EDT

Scientists have coupled the fungal toxin amanitin to an antibody which recognizes a cancer-typical target molecule. Like a guided missile, the antibody carries its poisonous load to target cancer cells. The poison-loaded antibody arrested the growth of various types of cancer cells in the culture dish and even caused the complete disappearance of transplanted pancreatic tumors in experimental mice.

Scientists break through pancreas cancer treatment barrier

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:39:39 EDT

Pancreas cancer tumors spread quickly and are notoriously resistant to treatment, making them among the deadliest of malignancies. Their resistance to chemotherapy stems in part from a unique biological barrier the tumor builds around itself. Now scientists have found a way to break through that defense, and their research represents a potential breakthrough in the treatment of pancreas cancer.

Scientists identify more than 500 genes that may cause pancreatic cancer

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:26:26 EDT

Scientists have identified more than 500 genes that may cause or contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer. This particularly deadly disease has a 1-in-20 survival rate after five years, largely because no effective genetic screening method exists for early detection.

Tortoise and the hare: New drug stops rushing cancer cells, slow and steady healthy cells unharmed

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:18:18 EST

The American Cancer Society estimates that 44,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer will be diagnosed this year and that 37,000 people will die from the disease. These are not strong odds. A new drug, rigosertib, allows pancreatic cancer cells to rush through replication -- and then stops them cold, killing them in in the middle of a step called M phase. Healthy cells that don't rush are unharmed.

First prospective analysis links breast and pancreatic cancer risk with Lynch syndrome

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:51:51 EST

Summary of the first prospective study to provide strong evidence of increased breast and pancreatic cancer risk in individuals with Lynch syndrome, who carry certain inherited genetic mutations in DNA repair genes. The study is also the first to show that relatives of people with Lynch syndrome who do not carry these mutations have no increased risk of cancer.

Cancer vaccine? Vaccine prolongs life of patients with pancreatic cancer, expert says

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:27:27 EST

A medical researcher has developed a cancer vaccine that can prolong the life expectancy of patients with pancreatic cancer. Now he is testing a new vaccine that hopefully is able to kill all types of cancer cells.

Gene linked to pancreatic cancer growth

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:24:24 EST

A mutant protein found in nearly all pancreatic cancers plays a role not only in the cancer’s development but in its continued growth, according to a new study. The finding suggests a possible target for developing new ways to treat this deadly disease.

Cell tracking allows researchers to see metastasis of pancreatic cancer in action

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:31:31 EST

Penn researchers have discovered that pancreatic cancer cells in an animal model begin to spread before clinically obvious tumor tissue is detected. What’s more, they showed that inflammation enhances cancer progression in part by facilitating a cellular transformation that leads to entry of cancer cells into the circulation.

Stem cell therapy reverses diabetes: Stem cells from cord blood used to re-educate diabetic's own T cells

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:18:18 EST

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the body's own immune system attacking its pancreatic islet beta cells and requires daily injections of insulin to regulate the patient's blood glucose levels. A new method uses stem cells from cord blood to re-educate a diabetic's own T cells and consequently restart pancreatic function reducing the need for insulin.

Protein complex plays role in suppressing pancreatic tumors

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:57:57 EST

A well-known protein complex responsible for controlling how DNA is expressed plays a previously unsuspected role in preventing pancreatic cancer, according to researchers.

Gene identified in increasing pancreatic cancer risk

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 09:18:18 EST

Mutations in the ATM gene may increase the hereditary risk for pancreatic cancer, according to new research.