United States: Pancreatic cancer is considered one of the most fatal forms of cancer out there.
It annually affects over half a million individuals and has the lowest survival rates of any major cancer type.
However, there is a new finding by a team of scholars originating from different countries that shows a ray of hope for the patients.
More about the news
The US and UK scientists have finally detected a main gene flaw in pancreatic cancer through which research for a cure for this cancer has begun, as interestingengineering.com reported.
Nottingham Trent University’s renowned scientist, Dr. Maria Hatziapostolou from the John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, said it was critical to refocus on knowing how pancreatic cancer spawns.
This new finding showed that the constant low survival rate of this aggressive disease which spread was traced by the study.
What are the causes of the spread?
According to the Guardian, pancreatic cancer invades and spreads because it manages to deplete the HNF4A gene of its significant molecules. The gene plays a decisive role for the general well-being of organs which are significant to our body.
This disruption impairs the gene’s capacity to regulate the growth of cells and, therefore, enhances the dissemination of the disease. This process of shutting down the gene is called DNA methylation.
Moreover, the study found that this discovery provides knowledge of a new target for therapeutic development, and as Hatziapostolou said, “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,” said the Guardian.
The study required the comparison of healthy tissue as well as tissue affected by pancreatic cancer to investigate the disease.
Hurdles for the development of new treatment
The major challenge in the management of pancreatic cancer is diagnosis at a late stage when therapy choices are limited. While the majority of patients with the disease do not live beyond the initial three months of diagnosis, as pointed out by the specialists.
This research can act as a starting point, which, nevertheless, can potentially enhance patients’ outcomes.
Now, scientists have a new goal – to identify the strategies to counteract the influence of DNA methylation and bring back the function of the HNF4A gene.
In this case, the researchers may progress to the production of new drugs that can arrest the spread of pancreatic cancer.
According to Dr Chris Macdonald, the head of research at Pancreatic Cancer UK, “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.”