A research team led by Mariano Barbacid has made a significant advance in the treatment of the most common form of pancreatic cancer. Using an innovative combination of three different drugs, they were able to completely cure tumours in mice – a promising step that could open new doors for the development of effective therapies.
Spain Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
Further Studies Are Needed
Although the current study is limited to animal experiments, it is the first to show that this aggressive form of cancer, one of the deadliest worldwide, can be successfully targeted with a specific drug combination. The researchers emphasise that further animal studies are necessary to confirm the therapy’s efficacy and safety.
Genetic Discoveries Open Up New Perspectives
In addition to the therapy, the scientists were able to identify new genes associated with a genetic predisposition to pancreatic cancer. These findings could in the future help to detect at-risk patients earlier and to develop personalised treatment approaches.
Support from CRIS contra el cáncer
The research project was supported by the organisation CRIS contra el cáncer, which specialises in innovative cancer research. The organisation’s president emphasised the significance of the study for cancer research and highlighted the hope these findings offer to those affected.
Pancreatic Cancer: One of the Most Aggressive Forms of Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is considered one of the most aggressive forms of cancer, with a very poor prognosis. It is usually only detected at an advanced stage, which makes treatment difficult and keeps survival rates low. According to CRIS contra el Cáncer, more than 10,300 new cases are diagnosed in Spain each year. Only around 5 % of patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma – the most common form – survive longer than five years.
These are highly aggressive, fast-progressing, and long asymptomatic tumours that are difficult to treat and respond only limitedly to therapies. In Spain, up to 8,000 people die from pancreatic cancer each year. The new triple-drug combination could transform the future of treatment and provide patients with significantly more time.
Personal Commitment from Those Affected
Among those involved in the study is soprano and patient Cristina Domínguez, who publicly advocates for supporting research and thereby draws attention to the significance of the study.
Laying the Groundwork for Further Research
Before clinical trials in humans can take place, several preparatory steps are still required. In the current study, resistance was observed, meaning the therapy must first be tested on additional mouse models with different genetic variations. The model tested so far covers only around 40 % of pancreatic cancer cases, leaving the remaining 60 % unaddressed.
In addition, the researchers plan to increase the number of patient-derived tumour samples in mice and to study metastases in greater detail. This will require closer collaboration with surgeons and pathologists to incorporate samples of metastatic tumours into the research. Only once these preparatory steps are completed can it be assessed which patients might potentially benefit from the current therapeutic strategy.
