Researchers Show Why Pancreatic Cancer Has High Resistance to Chemotherapy

Rebecca Lewis December 14, 2016

Pancreatic cancer is among the types of cancer that have very little chance of being cured with chemotherapy. And now, a new study by University of Liverpool sheds light on the reason why.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death. This is why it is very important to gain a deeper understanding of its molecular mechanisms and why it does not respond well to chemotherapy. The new findings, published in the journal Cancer Research, is essential to design more effective treatments for this lethal disease.

It was shown, previously, that tumour associated macrophages (TAM) and fibroblasts are non-cancerous cells that are found within solid tumours, including pancreatic cancer. In addition, these TAM and fibroblasts can support cancer progression. However, it is still unclear what mechanisms make these cells contribute to pancreatic cancer progression and response to therapy.

The study, led by Dr Ainhoa Mielgo Iza, a Sir Henry Dale Fellow, from the University’s Institute of Translational Medicine, found that TAM and fibroblasts directly support chemotherapy resistance of pancreatic cancer cells by secreting insulin-like growth factors.

Based on the analysis of biopsies from pancreatic cancer patients, it was found that this survival pathway is activated in 72% of the patients.

"These findings are very exciting because they uncover a mechanism that causes pancreatic cancer resistance to chemotherapy.” said Dale Fellow. "Our research interest is to understand the complex interactions in the tumour microenvironment with the aim of finding new therapeutic targets for cancer.

The researchers have high hopes that their discoveries can result to the development of new treatments that can better address pancreatic cancer.

Source of this article:

L. Ireland et al, Chemoresistance in Pancreatic Cancer Is Driven by Stroma-Derived Insulin-Like Growth Factors, Cancer Research

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