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Pancreatic Cancer Research and Investment
Targeting breakthrough diagnosis and treatment
PANCREATIC CANCER
TREATMENT
Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer (PC) is difficult unless it is diagnosed early. And, early diagnosis is itself difficult because there are few symptoms and the tests to do so are very expensive. Treatment also depends on the size and type of tumour, where it is in the Pancreas, and whether it is has spread elsewhere in the body – and it also depends on the general health of the patient.
Generally, today’s treatments are limited to surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
- Surgery: If the cancer is found early, and if it has not spread, surgery may remove the tumour or, if the cancer cannot be removed, surgery may be used to help control some symptoms. Surgery generally removes part or all of the pancreas or all or parts of other organs around the pancreas. Recovery can take a long time and can have significant side effects.
- Surgery to address the symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include addressing blockage of the bile duct to help with jaundice or unblocking the small intestine (duodenum) to address physical sickness. Some of these procedures are done using endoscopy. However, these procedures do not cure the cancer.
- Chemotherapy: Surgery may not be possible in some circumstances. Medicines might be used to kill cancer cells as an alternative and may be used in conjunction with radiotherapy. Chemotherapy may also be used before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor or following surgery to reduced the chance of recurrence.
- Radiotherapy: High-energy rays of radiation can be used in some situations to kill cancer cells, but its use is infrequent for Pancreatic Cancer. When used it is often combined with chemotherapy (chemoradiotherapy)
Even with these treatments, it may not be possible to cure the cancer, in which case the aim of the treatment will be to limit the cancer and its symptoms, and hopefully help the patient live longer
However, even with treatment, the general 5 year survival rate of Pancreatic Cancer sufferers is 10% or less, according www.cancer.net
PANCRETIC CANCER
PREVENTION
There is no sure way to prevent pancreatic cancer. Certain risk factors such as age, gender, race, and family history can’t be controlled. Some things can be done to lower risk, but these are not limited to being linked to Pancreatic Cancer, and generally help maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Smoking might be the most important avoidable risk factor for Pancreatic Cancer.
- Proper diet, body weight, and regular physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight and may reduce risk.
- The American Cancer Society recommends following a healthy eating pattern that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and which limits or avoids red and processed meats, sugary drinks, and highly processed foods. For more, see the American Cancer Society Guidelines for Diet and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention.
- Heavy alcohol use has been tied to Pancreatic Cancer in some studies. Heavy alcohol use can also lead to conditions such as chronic pancreatitis, which is known to increase Pancreatic Cancer risk.
- Avoiding workplace exposure to certain chemicals may reduce risk. Among these items are those listed on the NTP’s report on Carcinogens at: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/pubhealth/roc/index-1.html
Learn More
To learn more about ways to address the prevention of Pancreatic Cancer, click here
FACTS ABOUT PANCREATIC CANCER (from pancreatic cancer uk)
PANCREATIC CANCER IS NOT RARE
In the UK alone, one person dies from it every hour
PC IS A MAJOR KILLER
It is the 5th biggest cancer killer and is predicted to overtake breast cancer as the 4th most common by 2030
THE 5YR SURVIVAL RATE IS THE WORST
At less than 5-10%, this is the worst survival outcome for any of the 21 most common cancers
RESEARCH FUNDING IS POOR
Almost six times more money is spent on Breast Cancer per death per year
LATE DIAGNOSIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM
Around 80% of PC deaths are diagnosed when the disease is metastatic and the average survival rate is just 2-6 months
DIAGNOSIS IS VERY HARD
Up to half of patients are diagnosed in the emergency room and nearly 1/4 have to visit their doctor 7 times or more before the correct diagnosis is made
new diagnosis technologies and therapies
The UroPanc Clinical Study. London, UK
The UroPanc Clinical Study. London, UK
The UroPanc Clinical Study. London, UK
If successful, this non-invasive urine test would be the first in the world to help clinicians detect the highly lethal cancer at an early stage – enabling many more people to have surgery to remove their tumour, which is currently the only potentially curative treatment.
MRIdian® MRI machine, Oxford, UK
The UroPanc Clinical Study. London, UK
The UroPanc Clinical Study. London, UK
The MRIdian system uses MRI to provide live images of the tumour and surrounding tissue to enable the radiotherapy to be delivered with pinpoint precision. Uniquely, it adjusts the radiation beams in real time to the tiniest change in the tumour’s position, such as movement from breathing.
Clinical Trial Participation
The UroPanc Clinical Study. London, UK
Clinical Trial Participation
Guidelines from the American Society of Clinical Oncology recommend that every patient with pancreatic cancer should be offered information about clinical trials. My Tomorrows offers an initial free search to locate clinical trials and new or proven therapies
RAS-Directed Therapies
Natural Killer (NK) Cells in Immunotherapy
Clinical Trial Participation
The RAS genes make proteins in signaling pathways that control cell growth. Altered forms of these genes are found in more than 90% of pancreatic cancers. Drugs that target mutant forms of RAS are now becoming available, such as a drug that targets a form of RAS that has a mutation called G12C and scientists hope to develop drugs that target RAS alterations more common in pancreatic cancers
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Combinations
Natural Killer (NK) Cells in Immunotherapy
Natural Killer (NK) Cells in Immunotherapy
Scientists are now studying combinations of immunotherapy drugs. They are also studying combinations of immunotherapy drugs with other treatments, such as radiation therapy, stromal modifying agents, and other targeted drugs.
Natural Killer (NK) Cells in Immunotherapy
Natural Killer (NK) Cells in Immunotherapy
Natural Killer (NK) Cells in Immunotherapy
NK cells are a type of white blood cell that can kill tumor cells or cells infected with a virus. NK cell therapies for pancreatic cancer are being tested in early-stage clinical trials. This review provides a comprehensive update of the role of NK cells in pancreatic cancer immunotherapy
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