Scientists discover new route to boost pancreatic cancer treatment

Scientists discover new route to boost pancreatic cancer treatment

Cancer Research UK scientists have uncovered new insights into how a key pancreatic cancer drug – gemcitabine – is broken down in tumour cells, according to research* published in the British Journal of Cancer (BJC), today (Friday).

The scientists, based at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, have discovered that gemcitabine interacts with an important in cells – called the Kennedy Pathway – which cells use to make special fats.

This research has identified that the drug is broken down in tumour by enzymes in the Kennedy Pathway, which might be an alternative way in which it works. 

The findings also suggest that using linoleic acid in combination with gemcitabine increases the amount of gemcitabine in , possibly making it more effective.

Study author, Professor Duncan Jodrell, group leader at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, said: "Gemcitabine is one of the drugs that we use commonly to treat pancreatic cancer, but the number of patients who benefit from it is still relatively small."

"Improving our understanding of how gemcitabine interacts with cellular metabolism may allow us to develop combination treatments that improve outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer."

Around 8,800 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the UK every year but progress has been slow, with only around three per cent of people surviving their disease five years or more.

Nell Barrie, Cancer Research UK's senior science communications officer, said: "Sadly, survival from pancreatic cancer is still low and we must do everything we can to fight this challenging disease with better treatments and ways to diagnose it early, when treatment is more effective.

"We're making progress but it needs to be much faster, which is why Cancer Research UK is prioritising research into to save more lives from the disease."

More information: Bapiro TE, et al. "Gemcitabine diphosphate choline is a major metabolite linked to the Kennedy Pathway in pancreatic cancer models in vivo (2014)." British Journal of Cancer. DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.288

Journal information: British Journal of Cancer
Provided by Cancer Research UK
Citation: Scientists discover new route to boost pancreatic cancer treatment (2014, May 30) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-05-scientists-route-boost-pancreatic-cancer.html
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