Could understanding chronic asthma unlock new ways to prevent pancreatic cancer?
Co-funded with:
AECC
Cancer types:
Pancreatic cancer
Project period:
–
Research institute:
Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)
Award amount:
£269,006
Location:
Spain
Thanks to Curestarter support, Professor Francisco X Real and his team in Spain are exploring why people with asthma have lower rates of pancreatic cancer. If they can understand the link between chronic asthma and reduced cancer risk, they may be able to apply this understanding to developing new strategies which could prevent pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest cancers in the world.
Why is this research needed?
Unfortunately, due to a combination of factors such as late diagnosis and its fast growing nature, pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers. Many patients with an aggressive type of pancreatic cancer called pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) won’t survive the first twelve months after diagnosis.
The earlier cancer can be diagnosed, the more treatable it is. Major efforts are needed to create new prevention and early detection strategies for pancreatic cancer.
We would like to thank the Curestarters for supporting cancer research, in general, and our project specifically. Only through research will we be able to reduce the burden of cancer worldwide. Therefore, many thanks!
What is the science behind this project?
Professor Real’s lab team are one of a few that have shown that patients with asthma surprisingly seem to have a lower risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
After conducting a series of experiments, the Curestarter team found that chronic asthma leads to genetic changes in the pancreas. These changes amazingly then resulted in longer tumour free periods and reduced levels of cancer in models.
Working with his colleague, Dr Maria Acebes Casanova, Professor Real will now take this work forward and provide evidence for how asthma causes these changes. This could provide the basis for not only new treatments against aggressive pancreatic cancer but also new preventative strategies.
If asthma can protect the pancreas from cancer, these Curestarters want to understand how, why and if they can use it to develop protection against the risk of pancreatic cancer.
What difference could this project make to patients in the future?
Pancreatic tumours are one of the most deadly cancers, and one of the main reasons it is so hard to treat is that it’s often diagnosed too late for common therapies.
Projects like Professor Real’s offer a possible solution through stopping tumours before they become deadly.
They might also shed light on how to better treat pancreatic cancer through manipulation of the immune system. Developing new preventative measures for pancreatic cancer is crucial and one of the most effective strategies when we are looking forward to a world in which no life is cut short by cancer.
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