New risk test for pancreatic cancer

Researchers are developing risk tests for pancreatic carcinoma

14/12/2013

In the future, the genetic risk for a disease of pancreatic cancer should be able to be detected with novel test methods. Researchers from Greifswald and Rostock are currently working under high pressure on a corresponding first genetic risk test.

Greifswald and Rostock scientists
Greifswalder and Rostock scientists are currently working under pressure to develop a first genetic risk test for pancreatitis and the rare but very dangerous pancreatic cancer (pancreatic carcinoma). This was reported by the Greifswald Director of Internal Medicine A at the University of Medicine, Professor Markus M. Lerch. The project of the Universities of Greifswald and Rostock, estimated at 2.2 million euros, and the biotechnology company Centogene, based in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the EU, which specializes in gene diagnostics, will be funded with just over one million euros.

Close off blood sample at risk
The scientists want to identify biomarkers for acute and chronic pancreatitis as well as pancreatic carcinoma and develop diagnostic tests in the research project, which runs until the end of 2014. There is hope to be able to conclude from a simple blood test on the disease risk in order to recommend possible risk patients in good time checkups.

Risk factors smoking and alcohol abuse
In Germany, around 50,000 to 60,000 people develop pancreatitis each year and around 12,000 suffer from the very dangerous pancreatic cancer. Professor Lerch explained that the average life expectancy after cancer diagnosis with optimal therapy is two to three years. Smoking and alcohol abuse are the biggest risk factors for the disease. „Nevertheless, it often happens that people who are completely healthy get sick with the pancreas. Obviously, non-influenceable genetic factors also play a role as triggers“, so Dr. Ulrich Weiss, one of the project managers from Greifswald.

Find genetic causes
The scientists therefore assume that non-influenceable genetic factors could play a role as triggers. „It is our job to find out these genetic causes. The basis for this is about 1,000 patients of the Unimedizin Greifswald, who have been treated for a pancreatic disease in recent years“, according to Prof. Markus M. Lerch. With new methods of analysis, so-called next-generation sequencing technology, hundreds of genes or whole genomes could be investigated and previously unknown gene mutations could be identified. The Rostock-based company Centogene, which specializes in genetic and biochemical analyzes, is already using such methods. This should also identify the biomarkers responsible for pancreatic disease.

Long time without discomfort or symptoms
A danger of pancreatic carcinoma is that for a long time it does not cause discomfort or symptoms and is discovered late. In more than 50 percent of those affected by pancreatic cancer, metastases are found in other parts of the body when they are discovered. Around 70 percent of carcinomas arise in the pancreatic head. The main symptom of pancreatic carcinoma is the ever-increasing painless jaundice (jaundice), which is not accompanied by colic, and is caused by narrowing of the bile duct. Yellow eyes, which are called yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes and dermis of the eyes (sclera), are typical signs of jaundice. Other common but uncharacteristic symptoms of pancreatic cancer include weight loss and back pain radiating from abdominal pain. (Ad)