Incredible scans reveal how a new drug could reverse one of the deadliest forms of cancer.
Pancreatic cancer Diagnosis is often too late, as people with the disease often have few symptoms.
The image above shows how these drugs can help reverse pancreatic cancer. Images from day one show blue cells that start to develop before the onset of cancer. Green on the image shows the second drug being added and processed. By day 10 we can see fewer blue cells and healthy red cells pass throughCredit: University of Florida
The cancer It has the lowest survival rate of all common cancers in the UK - more than half of patients die within three months of diagnosis.
Experts at the University of Florida have now discovered a way to reverse a key process involved in disease progression.
Medics say this is the first time researchers have been able to do this.
Experts who wrote Cell Death Discovery say they have identified two small molecules that block precancerous cells.
They then used two drugs developed in the lab to reverse a process called acinar ductal metaplasia (ADM), which occurs before cancer develops.
To study ADM, they looked at animal cell models with pancreatic tissue from healthy humans.
They introduced these cells to two compounds, and the ductal cells responded by turning back into so-called acinar cells.
This is key because these cells can be stopped when they remain in their natural state.
In the case of pancreatic cancer, ADM occurs due to inflammation.
This is a defense mechanism that prevents the pancreas from self-destructing.
If cells mutate during ADM, these cells can become cancerous and eventually develop into cancer.
"To our knowledge, this is the first time researchers have been able to pharmacologically reverse ADM," said Tom Schmittgen, the study's senior author and chair of the Department of Pharmacy in the UF College of Pharmacy.
These findings are significant because we have now shown that ADM can be reversed using drugs
This research could lead to the development of treatments for patients at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is the eleventh most common type of cancer in the UK and the sixth leading cause of cancer death.
pancreatic cancer signs you need to know
Pancreatic cancer occurs when malignant cells form in pancreatic tissue.
Common symptoms These include abdominal and back pain, unexplained weight loss, and jaundice.
Other symptoms can include:
- loss of appetite
- Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation
- indigestion
- nausea and vomiting
- difficulty swallowing
- Patients may also experience symptoms of diabetes because pancreatic disease prevents insulin production.
The cancer It has the lowest survival rate of all common cancers in the UK - more than half of patients die within three months of diagnosis.
The disease affects large glands that are part of the digestive system - the pancreas behind the stomach and below the liver.
It has two main functions: dropping digestive enzymes into the gut to help break down food, and releasing the hormones insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar.
Pancreatic cancer occurs when malignant cells form in pancreatic tissue.
Five signs of the disease that can be mistaken for another disease or minor problem include persistent stomach pain, back pain, indigestion, unexplained weight loss and changes in bowel habits.
Other symptoms that may be more obvious include jaundice, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting.
Patients may also experience symptoms of diabetes because pancreatic disease prevents insulin production.
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