A recent study has discovered that pancreatic cancer cells vary depending on where they are located in the pancreas. This new information about tumors could potentially lead to more effective targeted treatments. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has become increasingly diagnosed over the past ten years and is now the seventh leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men.Cancer of the pancreas is a major health concern for both men and women worldwide and is expected to become the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally by 2030. This rise in pancreatic cancer cases can be attributed to various factors, including the increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes.
Dr. Maen Abdelrahim, the section chief of gastrointestinal medical oncology at Houston Methodist, played a key role in the development of an article titled “Comparative molecular profiling of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma of the head versus body and tail,” which was published in the online journal NPJ Precision Oncology, part of the Nature family of publications. The study conducted by Dr. Abdelrahim and his research team revealed significant differences in the molecular profiles of pancreatic cancer based on the location within the pancreas.
Cancerous tumors play a role in determining the effectiveness of systematic therapy treatments.
Abdelrahim and his colleagues proposed a theory that there are differences in the tumor microenvironments in the pancreatic head compared to the body and tail, specifically in the immune receptors present in each section of the pancreas.
“By studying the biology surrounding the tumor and considering its location within the pancreas, we can improve our assessment of treatment options,” Abdelrahim stated. “Instead of treating all patients with pancreatic cancer in the same way, a shift to a model based on tumor location could significantly change clinical approaches.”In this study, Abdelrahim and his team have established initial treatment plans. The team believes that this discovery could assist clinicians in creating more targeted treatment plans and ultimately enhance patient outcomes. Collaborators on this research included Benjamine A. Weinberg, Adbullah Esmail, Anup Kasi, Nestor F. Esnaola, Joanne Xiu, and Yasmine Baca. The Cockrell Foundation and Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation provided support for this study.
