US Scientists discover new early warning sign for deadly pancreatic cancer
However, may soon gain a powerful new ally in the battle against this cancer: a biological 'early warning' system that can signal the presence of precancerous pancreatic cells.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have uncovered a crucial link between inflammation, cellular stress, and the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common and aggressive type of pancreatic cancer.
What is pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells form in the tissues of the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach that plays a crucial role in digestion and blood sugar regulation by producing enzymes and hormones.
While the exact causes are not always clear, risk factors include smoking, family history of pancreatic cancer, long-standing type 2 diabetes, and chronic pancreatitis.
Pancreatic cancer is often difficult to diagnose early because symptoms may be subtle or absent in the early stages.
The deadliness of PDAC
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) originates in the small ducts of the pancreas and carries an incredibly grim prognosis. The average five-year survival rate is less than 10%. According to 2023 estimates, over 62,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer were diagnosed in the US alone. Because it usually shows no symptoms in early stages, PDAC is typically detected only after it has spread, making it hard to treat and nearly impossible to cure.
Scientists have long known that inflammation and cellular stress are involved in the growth and spread of pancreatic cancer. But the exact mechanism remained unclear until now.
The silver lining
In a new
study,
the UC San Diego team focused on a protein called STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), which is activated under stressful or inflammatory conditions in the body. Once turned on, STAT3 triggers a chain of biological reactions that help tumors grow, adapt, resist treatment, and spread.
David Cheresh, a pathologist and co-author of the study, told Newsweek, 'Given the fact that STAT3 plays such an important role in many cancers and the fact that it controls so many genes prompted us to drill down on which genes in particular are associated with cancer development, progression, and drug resistance.'
The team also discovered that under low oxygen conditions and inflammation, both common in cancer, STAT3 activates a gene called Integrin β3 (ITGB3) in pancreas cells.
This gene speeds up tumor growth and helps cancer spread faster. Even more concerning, they found that common treatments like chemotherapy can also trigger STAT3, which may explain why some tumors become resistant over time.
However, the good news is, when researchers blocked STAT3's pathway, they were able to delay the development of tumors, offering a potential new direction for future therapies.
The STRESS UP gene signature
Through this work, the scientists identified 10 genes, including ITGB3, that STAT3 turns on during stress.
Together, they form what the team calls the "STRESS UP" signature, a genetic fingerprint of precancerous activity.
As per Cheresh, 'A significant number of patients are what we refer to as 'inducible' for these STRESS UP genes, including ITGB3.'
But why is that important?
Because it could help doctors predict which patients are likely to develop pancreatic cancer and how aggressive that cancer might become. It could also help determine who is more likely to respond to current treatments.
Cheresh added, 'Having knowledge of this gene signature in patients could be valuable since there are known drugs on the market for other diseases that block STAT3 activation and thereby inhibit the expression of the STRESS UP genes in cancer cells.'
The importance of early detection (and personalized treatment)
The research suggests that STRESS UP could play a role at every stage of pancreatic cancer, from the earliest precancerous lesions to fully drug-resistant tumors and even those that have spread to other organs.
According to Cheresh, 'We observed that the STRESS UP gene signature is linked to various critical stages of cancer development including: tumor initiation as precancerous lesions develop into actual tumors, as tumors develop drug resistance, and as tumors develop an invasive or metastatic behavior [when cancer spreads].'
The researchers are now examining each of the 10 genes in the STRESS UP signature more closely to develop targeted therapies.
One such therapy is already in early clinical trials for patients with drug-resistant cancers.
Cheresh explained, 'We are now examining each of these STRESS UP genes for their specific role in the development and progression of cancer with the hope that new specific therapies can be developed. We already have one such therapeutic just now entering clinical trials for patients with drug-resistant cancers.'
World Lung Cancer Day 2024: Combating The Deadly Disease With Advanced Treatments
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The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach that plays a crucial role in digestion and blood sugar regulation by producing enzymes and hormones. While the exact causes are not always clear, risk factors include smoking, family history of pancreatic cancer, long-standing type 2 diabetes, and chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic cancer is often difficult to diagnose early because symptoms may be subtle or absent in the early stages. The deadliness of PDAC Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) originates in the small ducts of the pancreas and carries an incredibly grim prognosis. The average five-year survival rate is less than 10%. According to 2023 estimates, over 62,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer were diagnosed in the US alone. Because it usually shows no symptoms in early stages, PDAC is typically detected only after it has spread, making it hard to treat and nearly impossible to cure. Scientists have long known that inflammation and cellular stress are involved in the growth and spread of pancreatic cancer. But the exact mechanism remained unclear until now. The silver lining In a new study, the UC San Diego team focused on a protein called STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), which is activated under stressful or inflammatory conditions in the body. Once turned on, STAT3 triggers a chain of biological reactions that help tumors grow, adapt, resist treatment, and spread. David Cheresh, a pathologist and co-author of the study, told Newsweek, 'Given the fact that STAT3 plays such an important role in many cancers and the fact that it controls so many genes prompted us to drill down on which genes in particular are associated with cancer development, progression, and drug resistance.' The team also discovered that under low oxygen conditions and inflammation, both common in cancer, STAT3 activates a gene called Integrin β3 (ITGB3) in pancreas cells. This gene speeds up tumor growth and helps cancer spread faster. Even more concerning, they found that common treatments like chemotherapy can also trigger STAT3, which may explain why some tumors become resistant over time. However, the good news is, when researchers blocked STAT3's pathway, they were able to delay the development of tumors, offering a potential new direction for future therapies. The STRESS UP gene signature Through this work, the scientists identified 10 genes, including ITGB3, that STAT3 turns on during stress. Together, they form what the team calls the "STRESS UP" signature, a genetic fingerprint of precancerous activity. As per Cheresh, 'A significant number of patients are what we refer to as 'inducible' for these STRESS UP genes, including ITGB3.' But why is that important? Because it could help doctors predict which patients are likely to develop pancreatic cancer and how aggressive that cancer might become. It could also help determine who is more likely to respond to current treatments. Cheresh added, 'Having knowledge of this gene signature in patients could be valuable since there are known drugs on the market for other diseases that block STAT3 activation and thereby inhibit the expression of the STRESS UP genes in cancer cells.' The importance of early detection (and personalized treatment) The research suggests that STRESS UP could play a role at every stage of pancreatic cancer, from the earliest precancerous lesions to fully drug-resistant tumors and even those that have spread to other organs. 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