Molecular You reports ‘breakthrough’ in early detection of pancreatic cancer | BioWorld
Doctors may soon have a better chance of spotting one of the deadliest cancers—pancreatic cancer—before it’s too late.
A new study from the University of California San Diego has identified an early warning sign that could help detect pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common and aggressive type of pancreatic cancer. This form of cancer currently has a survival rate of less than 10% over five years and is notoriously hard to treat unless caught very early.
What’s the Breakthrough?
Researchers discovered that inflammation and stress inside the body can “switch on” a dangerous protein called STAT3 in pancreas cells. This protein plays a big role in helping cancer cells survive, grow, spread—and resist treatments.
In this study, the team zeroed in on how STAT3 activates specific genes, especially one called Integrin β3 (ITGB3), when the body is under stress (like during low oxygen levels or chemotherapy). ITGB3 helps cancer cells form and spread faster.
They found that when STAT3 and ITGB3 are both active, they create a unique gene pattern they’ve called “STRESS UP.”
Why Is This Important?
The “STRESS UP” signature acts like a red flag, warning doctors when pancreatic cells are likely to turn cancerous—and even predicting how aggressive the cancer might become. It can also signal whether a tumor will respond to treatments or resist them.
What’s more encouraging? There are already existing drugs used for other diseases that can block the STAT3 protein. That means new treatments for pancreatic cancer might not be far off.
A Step Toward Early Detection and Better Treatment
By tracking this STRESS UP gene signature, doctors could:
- Catch pancreatic cancer much earlier
- Know how fast it might spread
- Identify which patients might benefit from existing therapies
- Develop new targeted treatments for those with resistant or fast-growing tumors
What’s Next?
The researchers are now testing new therapies that block the harmful pathways activated by STAT3. These treatments are already entering clinical trials for drug-resistant cancers.
Even better, they’re looking into how this discovery could apply to other cancers, like those in the lungs, breasts, and skin, potentially offering hope far beyond pancreatic cancer alone.
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