Scientists at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research have found that pancreatic cancer uses a key metabolic switch to help it spread.
Their study, published in Science Advances, highlights a molecule called Neuropeptide Y (NPY) as a major driver of metastasis, the process where cancer spreads to other organs.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with only 13% of patients surviving five years after diagnosis.
More than 80% of cases are detected at an advanced stage, when surgery is no longer an option. Since metastasis is a major reason for its high death rate, finding ways to stop the spread is critical.
How pancreatic cancer uses NPY to spread
NPY is a molecule usually responsible for controlling metabolism, appetite, and energy balance. However, researchers found that pancreatic cancer hijacks this molecule to help it grow and spread.
“We discovered that NPY levels are much higher in pancreatic cancer cells compared to normal cells,” said Dr. David Herrmann, senior author of the study. “By blocking NPY in mice, we were able to significantly reduce the spread of cancer to the liver, which is the most common site of metastasis in pancreatic cancer patients.”
This is the first time researchers have studied NPY’s role in pancreatic cancer metastasis. Earlier research had linked it to cancer growth in breast, prostate, and neuroblastoma cancers.
A Potential New Treatment Strategy
Blocking NPY not only reduced cancer spread but also helped prevent muscle and fat loss, a condition called cachexia. This condition often weakens cancer patients, making it harder for them to tolerate treatments like chemotherapy.
“Since cachexia makes it difficult for patients to undergo treatment, finding a way to reduce it could improve their overall health and ability to fight cancer,” said Dr. Herrmann.
The researchers found that highly aggressive pancreatic cancers had particularly high levels of NPY.
This suggests that blocking NPY could be a personalized treatment option for certain patients, especially those experiencing severe weight loss due to cancer.
To explore this treatment further, the research team developed an antibody designed to block NPY in cancer cells.
They are currently testing it in mice and in tissue samples donated by pancreatic cancer patients.
Dr. Herrmann explained that the next challenge is to determine how best to combine NPY-blocking therapy with existing treatments. “We need to figure out the right timing—whether blocking NPY works best before or after chemotherapy,” he said. “Understanding this will be key to moving our research into clinical trials and, ultimately, improving patient outcomes.”
This promising discovery opens up new possibilities for treating pancreatic cancer by slowing its spread and reducing the severe weight loss that often accompanies the disease.
For more information about cancer, please see recent studies that plant-based diets may reduce risk of colorectal cancer in men, and Low-fat diet may help stop cancer growth.
The research findings can be found in Science Advances.
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