Bacteriolytic therapy may be a promising treatment strategy for advanced pancreatic cancer patients
August 1, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
The aim of cancer immunotherapy is the stimulation of immune mechanisms to recognize malignant cells and may be a useful complementary therapy to conventional anticancer therapy. Immunotherapy was initiated over 100 years ago when New York surgeon William B. Coley inoculated a bacterial vaccine consisting of Streptococcus pyogenes and Serratia marcescens. Several patients experienced a beneficial effect on malignancy and were finally cured of their tumours by the development of a potent immune response.
Pancreatic cancers use fructose, common in the Western diet, to fuel their growth
August 1, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Pancreatic cancers use the sugar fructose, very common in the Western diet, to activate a key cellular pathway that drives cell division, helping the cancer to grow more quickly, a study by researchers at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has found.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate pancreatic cancer
July 29, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (the disease commonly referred to as pancreatic cancer) carries the worst prognosis of any cancer. As current treatments offer minimal benefit, entirely new approaches are needed. Given the success of local therapies, as opposed to intravenous systemic therapies, for liver diseases (such as hepatocellular carcinoma), it is thought that similar local therapies may benefit patients with pancreatic cancer. To develop such therapies, it would be useful to devise targets that are easy to obtain and can indicate the efficacy of these new therapies in models of pancreatic cancer.
Molecular predictor of prognosis for pancreatic cancer patients identified
July 13, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
CHAPEL HILL, NC - Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging tumors to treat. Identifying patients who have more aggressive disease could better inform treatment decisions and predict survival prognosis. A new finding from scientists at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center may help.
Endoscopic ultrasound evaluation is associated with improved outcomes in pancreatic cancer patients
July 7, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
First study to analyze a large population-based cancer registry and demonstrate that EUS evaluation improves overall pancreatic cancer survival
OAK BROOK, Ill. July 8, 2010 A new study has found that endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is associated with improved outcomes in patients with localized pancreatic cancer, possibly due to the detection of earlier cancers and improved stage-appropriate management, including more selective performance of curative intent surgery. This is the first study to analyze a large population-based cancer registry and demonstrate that EUS evaluation is associated with improved pancreatic cancer survival. The study appears in the July issue of GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).
New combination effective against pancreatic cancer
June 14, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Substance in broccoli supports cancer therapy; researchers in Heidelberg publish in Cancer Research
The new cancer medication sorafenib looks promising. Sorafenib is used for advanced liver and kidney cancer and also appears to be effective against cancer stem cells in pancreatic cancer. The team led by Professor Dr. Ingrid Herr, Head of the Department of Molecular Oncosurgery, a group of the Department of Surgery at Heidelberg University Hospital, (Managing Director: Professor Dr. Markus W. Büchler) in cooperation with the German Cancer Research Center, tested the new substance in mice and pancreatic cancer cells. It inhibits resistant tumor stem cells and is also especially effective in combination with sulforaphane, an organic compound found in broccoli. The results has been published online in the prestigious medical journal “Cancer Research“.
Pancreatic cancer: Minimally invasive treatments and possible links to GI diseases
May 2, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Contact: Amy Levey
alevey@gymr.com
202-745-5116
Digestive Disease Week
Health outcomes explored at DDW 2010
Molecular marker could help spot pancreatic cancer early
April 25, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Contact: Les Lang
llang@unch.unc.edu
919-966-9366
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
CHAPEL HILL Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine have identified a molecular marker of pancreatic cancer that may help spot the disease at its earliest stages, when it can be treated more successfully with surgery.
New molecular therapy candidates for pancreatic cancer
April 18, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Contact: Ye-Ru Wang
wjg@wjgnet.com
86-105-908-0039
World Journal of Gastroenterology
Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is upregulated in human pancreatic cancer tissues but is not expressed in surrounding non-cancerous tissues. Serum level of IGF-I is elevated in pancreatic cancer patients. Histological analysis has shown that IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) is positive in the membrane of pancreatic cancer tissues. These facts suggest that IGF-I acts as a growth factor for pancreatic cancer and inhibition of its action might be a good candidate for molecular therapy of pancreatic cancer. A possible problem is that not all pancreatic cancers produce IGF-I, which might be a reason for ineffective results of its clinical application.
Scorpion venom provides clues to cause, treatment of pancreatitis
March 28, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Contact: Tracey Peake
tracey_peake@ncsu.edu
919-515-6142
North Carolina State University
A Brazilian scorpion has provided researchers at North Carolina State University and East Carolina University insight into venom’s effects on the ability of certain cells to release critical components. The findings may prove useful in understanding diseases like pancreatitis or in targeted drug delivery.
