Pancreatic cancer is rare, but it remains one of the deadliest forms of cancer. Its early symptoms are often vague or go unnoticed, and by the time it is diagnosed, the disease has usually progressed too far for effective treatment.
That’s why scientists are working hard to understand how this cancer develops in its earliest stages—when it might still be treatable.
Dr. Helmut Laumen, a researcher at University Medicine Halle, emphasizes the importance of early detection. “Effective treatment requires early detection,” he explains. “So we’re conducting intensive research to better understand how this cancer starts and to find better ways to diagnose it early.”
One of the biggest challenges in studying pancreatic cancer is that it’s almost always detected too late in humans.
That means researchers have had very little opportunity to see what happens in the early stages of the disease. To overcome this, scientists have created a new mouse model that mimics early cancer development more accurately than previous models.
In their recent study, published in the journal Gut, researchers at University Medicine Halle combined two genetic traits in mice. One gene had mutations that are very common in people with pancreatic cancer, but these mutations on their own don’t usually lead to tumors.
The second gene triggers chronic inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis—a condition that often occurs in people who later develop pancreatic cancer.
When these two genetic traits were combined, the mice showed clear signs of early cancer development. Their pancreatic tissue changed, with a buildup of fibrous tissue and the formation of early cancer-like cells. This allowed researchers to observe how inflammation may speed up cancer growth.
One of the most important discoveries in this study was the identification of a new type of cell involved in inflammation. These cells, found in the ducts of the pancreas, showed strong signs of inflammatory activity. The scientists named them “iDucts.” These iDuct cells seem to play a key role in the link between chronic pancreatitis and the start of cancer.
The discovery of iDucts could lead to a breakthrough in early detection. If doctors can find a way to identify these cells in people, it may be possible to spot individuals who are at high risk for pancreatic cancer before the disease fully develops. These people could then be closely monitored and treated early if cancer starts to form.
Professor Jonas Rosendahl, co-author of the study, says this new mouse model is an important step forward. “It offers a more realistic way to study the connection between inflammation and cancer,” he says. “We urgently need models like this to help us find better ways to diagnose, prevent, and treat inflammation-driven cancers like pancreatic cancer.”
Thanks to this study, scientists now have a powerful new tool to study how pancreatic cancer begins. That knowledge could one day lead to earlier diagnosis, better treatments, and improved outcomes for people at risk of this deadly disease.
If you care about cancer, please read studies that artificial sweeteners are linked to higher cancer risk, and how drinking milk affects risks of heart disease and cancer.
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