Time: 2024-07-16
Scientists from the UK and US have made a breakthrough discovery in Pancreatic cancer research . Pancreatic cancer , which is the 12th most common cancer worldwide , has the worst survival rates among all common forms of the disease . More than half a million people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every year , with many high - profile figures succumbing to the deadly disease , including Alan Rickman , John Hurt , Steve Jobs , and Patrick Swayze.
The research team , led by Dr. Maria Hatziapostolou from Nottingham Trent University 's John van Geest Cancer Research Centre , discovered that pancreatic cancer can shut down molecules in the HNF4A gene , causing tumors to grow rapidly . This crucial gene , which is essential for the proper functioning of many organs in the body , is disrupted by pancreatic cancer , leading to aggressive growth and spread of the disease.
The findings of the study , published in the journal Gastro Hep Advances , shed light on how pancreatic cancer triggers a process called DNA methylation , which disables the benefits of the HNF4A gene . This discovery could pave the way for the development of more effective treatments for pancreatic cancer , which currently has a very low survival rate.
Pancreatic cancer remains a challenging disease to treat , with limited options for patients diagnosed at advanced stages . The majority of pancreatic cancers are not detected until it is too late , leading to poor survival rates for those affected by the disease.
The study involved analyzing healthy and cancerous tissue samples to understand how pancreatic cancer suppresses certain molecules in the body . The researchers found that the loss of HNF4A drives the development and aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer , correlating with poor patient survival rates.
The project , which involved scientists from various institutions including the University of Nottingham , Stanford University , and the University of California , provides valuable insights into how pancreatic cancer spreads aggressively in the body . By understanding the mechanisms behind the disease , researchers hope to develop more targeted and efficient treatments to combat pancreatic cancer in the future.
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