A team of scientists from Duke Health has made an important discovery that could help detect pancreatic cancer earlier.
They identified specific biological markers that may determine whether cysts on the pancreas are likely to develop into cancer.
This finding represents an important step toward creating a clinical method for identifying pancreatic lesions at high risk of becoming malignant, potentially allowing doctors to remove them before cancer spreads.
In the study, the biomarker-based approach addresses one of the biggest challenges in reducing pancreatic cancer risk.
Pancreatic cancer often develops silently and is frequently discovered incidentally during abdominal imaging scans. Even when detected at an early stage, it tends to spread rapidly to other parts of the body and often recurs after treatment.
Current diagnostic strategies for pancreatic cancer have an overall accuracy of about 60%.
Pancreatic cancer rates are increasing, and if current trends continue, it is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States within the next few years.
To tackle this problem, researchers focused on precancerous cysts known as intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). Identifying which IPMNs are likely to progress into cancer could help prevent the development of an otherwise incurable disease.
The scientists used an advanced molecular technique called digital spatial RNA profiling to analyze specific regions of cysts containing both high-grade and low-grade abnormal cells.
This approach enabled them to identify genetic mutations that may drive—or potentially suppress—pancreatic cancer development.
The team also discovered markers that distinguish between the two major variants of IPMN and identified unique markers for a third, more common variant that typically leads to less aggressive disease.
Researchers are now investigating whether these markers can be detected in cyst fluid.
If successful, identifying these markers in fluid samples could form the basis of a “liquid biopsy” test, helping doctors decide whether to surgically remove cysts before cancer develops and spreads.
Some evidence also suggests that inflammation may play a role in pancreatic cancer development.
Overall, the findings represent an important step toward reducing pancreatic cancer incidence and improving survival rates for patients diagnosed with the disease.
The study was conducted by Matthew K. Iyer and colleagues and published in Science Advances.
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