A new study by researchers at the University of California San Diego has found a link between inflammation, cellular stress and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common type of pancreatic cancer. The study’s findings could help increase the rate at which PDAC is caught early enough to prevent it becoming life-threatening.
Pancreatic cancer generally can only be controlled if it is found before it has spread, at which point it can be removed by surgery. If it has spread, palliative treatment can help manage symptoms and improve a patient’s quality of life.
The researchers discovered that in some cancer cells, the protein STAT3 activates specific genes that play a critical role in adapting to inflammation and stress. These genes, including Integrin β3 (ITGB3), promote the formation of PDAC tumors and accelerate their progression.
Blocking the protein’s inflammatory pathway may help delay tumor formation. The researchers have identified a prognostic gene signature called “STRESS UP” that can predict whether precancerous cells will develop into full-blown pancreatic cancer and assess how aggressive a tumor is likely to become.
The study’s findings could lead to the development of early screening tools for PDAC, helping doctors identify patients at risk of developing aggressive cancers. The researchers are now exploring new therapeutic approaches, including molecules that can stop inflammation from activating ITGB3 in other types of cancers.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/pancreatic-cancer-early-warning-sign-screening-treatment-2102247