Cell Rep: Targeting healthy cells could help develop treatments for pancreatic cancer

Researchers at the Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, supported by a collaboration between the UK charities World Cancer Research and the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, have made a new discovery that sheds light on how healthy cells can help pancreatic tumors develop, and they hope This will help develop new drugs to treat this difficult-to-treat cancer

The research, led by Dr Angus Cameron, found that blocking the expression of a protein called PKN2 can change the behaviour of healthy cells around tumors

When the researchers blocked the expression of PKN2 in healthy cells in a preclinical pancreatic cancer model, the tumors grew more violently

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The research, published in the journal Cell Reports, was supported by the charities World Cancer Research, Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, Pancreatic Cancer UK, Cancer Research UK and the Academy of Medical Sciences

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat - less than one in 10 people in the UK are expected to live five years or more after diagnosis

Dr.

"We found that, when activated by PKN2, fibroblasts can actually act as a defense mechanism, limiting cancer spread by keeping tumor cells close together

The findings of this study reveal PKN2 as a potential new target that can alter pancreatic cancer development and treatment sensitivity

Dr Angus Cameron, lead author of the study, said: "To improve outcomes for patients, we need to identify new strategies for treating cancer cells alongside normal cells that support cancer cell growth and Find ways to help the body's immune system fight cancer

"Our research contributes to understanding the biology of the invasive process in pancreatic cancer, and the role of fibroblasts

Dr.

"By supporting innovative cancer research projects like Dr Cameron's and allowing the brightest minds around the world to work on new ideas, we can hopefully find new cancer treatments in the future

Maggie Blanks, chief executive of the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, said: "Anything we can do to find a way to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer would be an important step forward, so this project It is encouraging that research contributes to knowledge in this area

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