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Research Goals Identify and treat pancreatic cancer earlier
According to experts, more and more cases of pancreatic cancer are registered in Germany. This form of cancer often runs long symptomless and is therefore often discovered too late. The mortality rates are very high. Researchers are now working on the foundations for new therapy concepts.
Fourth most common cause of cancer death in Germany
Pancreatic cancer (pancreatic cancer) is the fourth most common cause of cancer death among men and women in Germany. A new research network in Göttingen is now working on the mechanisms that lead to the development and progression of this form of cancer. The findings of this project should contribute to be able to recognize and treat pancreatic cancer much earlier than before.
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death among men and women in Germany. Researchers are now working on the foundations for new therapy concepts. (Image: Coloures-pic / fotolia.com) Illness becomes noticeable late
Involved in the project are the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Göttingen, the Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine and the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, both in Göttingen.
Diagnosing and treating this condition is extremely difficult, according to a UMG statement.
According to current forecasts, pancreatic carcinoma will thus already occupy the second place in the world for cancer-related causes of death in the next ten years.
As a rule, symptoms only appear when the disease is already advanced and is no longer limited to the organ. Often, metastases can already be detected.
Diagnose pancreatic cancer earlier
"We urgently need better knowledge of the mechanisms that contribute to the development and the marked resistance to chemotherapy," said the spokesman for the association, Prof. Dr. med. Volker Ellenrieder of the UMG.
"Only then we have a realistic chance to diagnose the pancreatic cancer earlier and achieve a breakthrough therapy," said the physician.
Dr. Elisabeth Heßmann from the UMG explained: "So far, we still lack biomarkers that enable the early detection of cancer. And there are no well-established imaging modalities that focus on the early detection of pancreatic cancer. "
A central aspect of the research network is therefore the characterization of tumor-promoting signaling pathways as targets of new drug therapies.
Better treatment options through earlier diagnosis
Other research institutions have also spent the last few years studying how pancreatic cancer can be detected earlier and treated better.
For example, scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) found out that in pancreatic cells the ability to metastasize is often already developed before a cell has even turned into a cancer cell.
They also found that a specific enzyme is responsible for the resistance of the tumors.
In turn, US experts found that bacteria can help diagnose pancreatic cancer.
And according to British researchers, pancreatic cancer could also be diagnosed with a urine test in the future.
All the insights that can lead to earlier detection of the disease can improve the treatment options.
The treatment should, according to experts, be best adapted to the individual patient, as it will improve the chances of a cure for pancreatic cancer. (Ad)