FREE – 1 to 1 Funding – Pancreatic Cancer Diagnostic Tests

Specific Pancreatic Cancer Developments 2022 – 23

(List is NOT exhaustive)

‘Galleri’ (TM) is a blood test (produced by ‘Grail’) which ‘looks’ for the presence of over 50 types of cancer. This includes two different types of pancreatic cancer i.e. pancreatic adenocarcinoma and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. You’ll need a doctor’s order to take the test (currently [third quarter 2023] only available in the USA]. Once issued, a blood test kit can be mailed to your home or your doctor’s office. You’ll then have blood drawn / extracted, and the results will be available in about 2 weeks. Results of the GalleriTM test can’t diagnose pancreatic cancer. However, they can indicate the presence of such cancer (amongst others) in your body. If your results are positive, you and your doctor can take additional, further steps as required

For more background details of the Galleri test, follow below links:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/2021/09/nhs-launches-world-first-trial-for-new-cancer-test/– Sep 2021

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/tests-and-scans/blood-tests/galleri-blood-test – Last Updated – Sep 2022

https://pharmaphorum.com/news/illumina-eyeing-future-of-grail-as-eu-shoots-down-merger – 6 September 2022

https://pharmaphorum.com/news/pressure-raises-illumina-ftc-orders-it-shed-grail – April 2023

https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2023-06-02-multi-cancer-blood-test-shows-real-promise-nhs-trial – June 2023

https://grail.com/press-releases/grail-presents-real-world-experience-with-the-galleri-multi-cancer-early-detection-test-at-2023-asco-annual-meeting/ -3 June 2023

https://www.nihr.ac.uk/news/new-blood-test-finds-two-thirds-of-cancers/33681 – 15 June 2023

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(23)00277-2/fulltext – 20 June 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI9XimWlU64 – 3 Jun 23

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOAgCqOu6NY – 5 Jun 23

(11 May 2023)

Early Detection of Pancreatic Pre-cancer Lesion in Multimodal Approach – via use of Exosome Liquid Biopsy

(9 May 2023)

‘ClearNote Health’ has announced that its Avantect test could detect pancreatic cancer in high-risk patients, e.g. those recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes

(8 May 2023)

AI model spots those at highest risk for up to three years before diagnosis

(28 April 2023) – by Dennis Thompson

(28 April 2023) – Nature Communications

(26 Apr 2023)

Researchers chart course for the design, testing and implementation of next-gen AI in medicine

(25 Apr 2023)

HMGA1 Induces FGF19 to Drive Pancreatic Carcinogenesis and Stroma Formation

(14 Apr 2023)

Called the nanofluidic drug-eluting seed (NDES), it delivers low-dose immunotherapy in the form of CD40 monoclonal antibodies (mAb). In a significant ground-breaking medical development, researchers have created a tiny device, smaller than a grain of rice, to deliver drugs directly to the pancreatic tumour

(9 Apr 2023)

Conclusions: Definitive RT was associated with maintained control of the primary tumour – contributing to a favourable, survival outcome for inoperable, non-metastatic PC. Further prospective, randomised trials are warranted to validate our results

(7 Apr 2023)

Millions of lives could be saved by a ground-breaking set of new vaccines for a range of conditions including cancer, say experts. A leading pharmaceutical firm said it is confident that jabs for cancer, cardiovascular & autoimmune diseases (and other conditions) could be ready by 2030

(Note: See also related article further below – dated 9 August 2022 – entitled ‘MessengerRNA [mRNA] Type Vaccines and Pancreatic Cancer‘)

(3 Apr 2023)

The microbiome is a term used for the collection of microbes, including microorganisms like bacteria, which live on or in the human body. There is little known about the microbiome of long-term pancreatic cancer survivors. There is emerging science suggesting that pancreas cancer survivors have a robust immune response in their tumours and data also suggests that the gut microbiome can influence immune response

(2 Apr 2023)

This article might be somewhat hard-going for the average ‘layman / woman’ to ‘get their heads around’. However, it is of significant interest to all involved in early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer – including the ‘general public’

(29 Mar 2023)

Scientists from the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Institute (TIBI) have recently designed an advanced pancreatic tumour model which more accurately depicts PDAC tumor progression and can test the effects of its stiff, fibrous matrix on pancreatic tissue fibrosis

(28 Mar 2023)

It works in mice and human studies could be next …………….. a discovery re how pancreatic cancer spreads could lead to better therapies for this ‘hard-to-treat’ disease, which kills more than 50,000 people in the USA every year. Researchers are testing an existing drug, used for organ transplants, to try to stop the (pancreatic) cancer’s spread

(26 Mar 2023)

A blood test which identifies signs of cancer up to a year before tumours have even formed, has been ­developed by scientists. Trial results have proved 100 percent accurate, even detecting cancers in the “control group” of patients who were believed to be cancer-free

(24 Mar 2023)

A Plymouth dad-of-two tragically died from pancreatic cancer just weeks after complaining of a sore back and being prescribed painkillers

(Note: ‘Real-life’ articles [such as this one] are included in this list from time to time, to remind us all of the very clever ‘sneakiness etc.’ of this particularly, deadly cancer form)

(24 Mar 2023)

(23 Mar 2023)

Evaluating 395 PDA (PDA = pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma – the most common type of pancreatic cancer) tumour samples, both non-metastatic and metastatic, researchers discovered that a central protein which controls RNA processing, RBFOX2, is degraded and present in much lower levels in metastatic tissue ………………… “Our unique findings demonstrate that the disappearance of RBFOX2 protein causes hundreds of genes to produce RNAs and proteins in a different way, which contributes to the invasive capabilities of the cancer cells. We found that restoring RBFOX2 to PDA metastatic cells inhibits the formation of metastases, while the elimination of RBFOX2 in non-metastatic PDA cells stimulates the formation of pancreatic cancer metastases.”

(20 Mar 2023)

Determining whether cysts will develop into cancer could lead to preventive surgeries

(11 Mar 2023)

Mark Davies found out (via a social media ‘Teams’ call) that there was nothing more doctors could do for his incurable (pancreatic) cancer. He was advised that he had just weeks, possibly several months, left to live. Seven days later Mark sadly died, leaving his wife and two young boys trying to come to terms with his demise’

(Note: ‘Real-life’ articles [such as this one] are included in this list from time to time, to remind us all of the very clever ‘sneakiness etc.’ of this particularly, deadly cancer form)

(Commencing sometime in 2nd quarter of 2023?)

This project aims to develop a method of diagnosing pancreatic cancer (PC) from the analysis of infrared (IR) signatures in blood. This approach has the potential to satisfy the urgent clinical need for an early diagnosis – a major problem to overcome in order to reduce PC mortality

(11 Mar 2023)

In a world-first for PC, a research team at Imperial College London, led by Professor George Hanna, are studying how breath samples (e.g. taken in a GP’s surgery) could ensure that those with early PC symptoms (often mistaken for other, less serious health conditions) are rapidly referred instead for scans etc. and potentially lifesaving treatment (funded by ‘Pancreatic Cancer UK‘)

(24 Feb 2023)

A recent phase 2 clinical trial, led by Harvard Medical School researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, identified a promising combination treatment regimen for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (latter meaning that patients’ cancer had spread, but only to nearby tissue). The trial’s investigators have now identified potential mechanisms behind the treatment’s beneficial effects………….

(22 Feb 2023)

Our researchers have laid vital groundwork for the development of new tests for pancreatic cancer. Here we take a look at what they’ve achieved so far

(21 Feb 2023)

A team led by researchers from the Surface & Nano Materials Division of the Korea Institute of Materials Science recently published a study in showing a new way to detect pancreatic and prostate cancer using a urine test. They say the test can have up to a 99% detection rate.

(8 Feb 2023)

Clinical Approach – What investigations are required to diagnose pancreatic cancer? (Laboratory data in patients with pancreatic cancer are generally not indicative, so it is necessary to rely on instrumental investigations, which may point more precisely towards a hypothesis of pancreatic neoplasia)

(12 Jan 2023)

Most pancreatic cancers are driven by mutations in a gene called KRAS, so researchers have long sought drugs that block the actions of mutant KRAS proteins made from these altered genes. Until recently, efforts to develop such drugs have been unsuccessful. Now, results from a new study in mice have identified a promising, experimental drug which directly targets pancreatic tumors – having a particular KRAS mutation known as G12D. The G12D mutation is the most common in pancreatic cancer, present in approximately 35% of people so diagnosed

(6 Jan 2023)

Efforts have been made to improve the early diagnosis of PDAC. As such, the Japanese Pancreatic Society has demonstrated the diagnostic algorithm of PDAC and the risk factors for the disease  – as a strategic approach to associated screening for high-risk patients

(30 Nov 2022)

Hirotsu Bio Science, a Japanese biotech firm, says it has developed the world’s first early screening test for pancreatic cancer using roundworms. In November 2022, it launched the “N-NOSE plus Pancreas” test, which uses the worm’s highly sensitive sense of smell. The worm’s genetic code is ‘edited’ so that they (worms) swim away from pancreatic cancer samples

(8 Nov 2022)

This debate, by selected UK ‘Members of Parliament’ [UK lawmakers]), covered the subject of pancreatic cancer. It basically acknowledged that the UK was still nowhere near adequately diagnosing / successfully treating this ‘deadly’ cancer – than it had been in the previous 10-20 years. Also that ‘ …….. Pancreatic cancer was the 5th most common cause of UK cancer deaths, but received just 1.4% of UK cancer research funding. Without sustained investment in innovative research, we will not be able to improve survival rates at the pace that we must………’

The above document is long and, in places, repetitive. However, it might still be well worthwhile taking a look by the ‘interested’ reader

(Note: In the 6 months following said debate, many professional medical persons [Hospital Doctors (except consultants), Nurses, Ambulance Crews etc.] in the UK took part in ‘industrial action’ [for better pay etc.] against the UK government. As at May 2023 the latter was typically refusing to negotiate on this matter in meaningful ways. Whilst all of this was going on ‘patients / the sick’ etc. [in the hundreds of thousands+] were bearing the brunt of this impasse – including those in need of diagnosis and / or treatment for pancreatic cancer!)

(1 Nov 2022)

Pancreatic cancer (PC) could be identified in patients up to 3 years earlier than current diagnoses, new research suggests. Weight loss + increasing blood glucose levels are early indicators of PC and could thus lead to more timely diagnoses, thus helping to improve survival rates

(26 Oct 2022)

‘…….…..….Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a major cause of cancer death that typically presents at an advanced stage. No reliable markers for early detection presently exist. The prominent tumour stroma represents a source of circulating biomarkers for use together with cancer cell-derived biomarkers – for earlier PDAC diagnosis. CA19-9 and CEA (cancer cell-derived biomarkers), together with endostatin and collagen IV (stroma-derived) were examined alone or together…………….’

(26 Sep 2022)

Guerbet (GBT – France) has obtained 1 million euros of public funding through a call for projects re the ‘acceleration strategy in digital health’ – via the ‘France 2030’ investment plan. The early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is a major public health concern. The work of GBT’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) research team, could potentially offer a promising response to this urgent medical need

(9 Sep 2022)

(9 Aug 2022)

(21 Jun 2022)

(8 Jun 2022)

(24 May 2022)

(18 May 2022)

(2 May 2022)

(13 Apr 2022)

Pancreatic ductal adeno-carcinoma (PDAC is the most common form of pancreatic cancer) is notorious for high death rates, due e.g. to the limited options of appropriate chemotherapy drugs

Aurora Kinase A (AURKA) belongs to the family of serine / threonine kinases, the activation of which is necessary for mitosis cell division processes in the body. AURKA is significantly higher in cancer tissues than in normal, control tissues. MLN8237, an AURKA inhibitor (‘inhibitor’ = a substance which reduces / suppresses the activity of another substance), efficiently reduces the proliferation and motility (cell movement) of PDAC cells * ‘in vitro’ as well as in animal models (mice) ** ‘in vivo’. These results provide the molecular basis for a new chemotherapy strategy for PDAC patients

* ‘In vitro’ = medical procedures, tests, experiments etc. which take place outside of a living organism e.g. in a test tube, petri dish etc. ** In vivo’ = medical procedures, tests, experiments etc. which take place inside and / or on a living organism e.g. a person, animal, plant etc.)

(8 Apr 2022)  (‘AI’ = Artificial Intelligence)

(8 Apr 2022)

Early results (from a phase 1 trial) suggest that a new type of immunotherapy, which makes use of the human immune system’s ‘natural killer cells’, offers potential against a range of cancers currently evading treatments. The therapy showed signs of effectiveness in a third of patients having a range of advanced cancers, which had stopped responding to standard treatment, including bowel, lung and PANCREATIC cancers

The immunotherapy, known as AFM24, redirects the body’s own natural killer cells and engages them to kill tumour cells, without having to go through a complex process to re-engineer a patient’s own cells, as happens with CAR-T cell therapy. Researchers believe the new treatment has the potential to be safer and less complex than cell therapies like CAR-T, and might also work against a wider range of cancer types

(7 Apr 2022)

The research (published in The Lancet) examined more than 850,000 patients when comparing 14 areas in 6 (broadly comparable) high-income countries. The UK was among the worst at detecting cancer (in general) early i.e. before being so found during said emergency hospital admissions. ‘Experts’ say the results are worrying, due fears the situation could worsen (even more) in future, due backlogs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic

The report (by the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership and Cancer Research UK) found that the UK came second from bottom overall. Only New Zealand had a higher proportion of diagnoses made (specifically via the hospital emergency department route)

In total, 37% of patients in England / Wales & 39% in Scotland were only first diagnosed with cancer (in general) after attending hospital emergency departments. The New Zealand rate was 42.5%

Looking specifically at PANCREATIC cancer diagnoses, about 46% of all cases were first found (i.e. on average in the participating countries) via the emergency hospital route. The figure was significantly higher in UK i.e. 56% in England / Wales and 59% in Scotland

Note: No link available

(3 Apr 2022)

A new treatment for liver cancer, which isolates the organ and protects healthy parts of the body, has been found to be effective in almost 90% of patients. The procedure (being pioneered in the UK at University Hospital Southampton) involves using two small balloons to divert blood past the liver for an hour, whilest delivering drugs directly into the organ – with the average length of survival among those studied being around 15 months

So why have we placed an article re ‘liver cancer’ treatment in a website all about ‘pancreatic cancer’? The answer can be found in the last paragraph of the above article which (for reader convenience) is reproduced just below:

‘…………… Study co-author Neil Pearce, a consultant hepatobiliary surgeon and co-founder of PLANETS, said: “While we currently only have evidence for this treatment in liver cancer which has spread from the eye, these results may now open the door for future studies with other difficult-to-treat cancers affecting the liver and we are exploring the potential new research trials. There has also been some limited research and case reports in other cancers (including bowel, breast, PANCREATIC and neuroendocrine) from international centres, which suggest potential benefit – but would need to be more formally assessed in large clinical trials. But these findings show there is real potential for this treatment to extend to more common cancers, which is very exciting”……………’

Note: the ‘full story’ can be found by following the below link (if the latter ‘does not work’ try an online search using the article title further above)

(23 Mar 2022)

Pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to cure or even treat. Now, a new strategy has succeeded in making pancreatic tumours visible to the immune systems of mice and thus vulnerable to immune attack, reducing cancer metastases by 87%

The ‘paper’ describing the above findings was published online in ‘Science Translational Medicine’

(21 Mar 2022)

UC San Diego Study Detects Tell-tale Proteins Released into Circulation by Cancer Cells

A novel screening platform has flagged more than 95% of stage 1 pancreatic cancers, as per a pilot study published in ‘Nature Communications Medicine’. If validated by future studies, the approach offers a new way to detect the 3rd leading cause of U.S. cancer deaths (as at 2020)………

(19 Mar 2022)

Pancreatic cancer is one of the worst. It is often detected late, spreads rapidly and has a poor prognosis. There are no symptoms in the early stages. Later stages are associated with symptoms, but these can be non-specific. New treatments are badly needed. Florida-based Singh Biotechnology is developing a new treatment approach that can shut off the “master switch” that controls cancer growth. This could revolutionize how we treat deadly cancers, like that of the pancreas………

(8 Mar 2022)

Microorganisms in Stool Samples could offer New Way to Detect Pancreatic Cancer Early

Worldwide Cancer Research scientists have discovered a potentially new way to detect and diagnose pancreatic cancer early, by analysing microorganisms such as bacteria, in a patient’s stool sample. This fast and non-invasive way of diagnosing pancreatic cancer could be a game changer for preventing people dying from this lethal type of cancer………

(7 Feb 2022)

A Combination of Ultrasound and Immunotherapy

Essentially, sound waves (high intensity focused ultrasound – HIFU) are used to break a pancreatic cancer tumour down into a more fragile state, which creates ‘cavities’ – thus allowing boosted immune cells (antibodies [immunotherapy]) to enter the tumour (via these newly created cavity formed ‘spaces’)

In a little more detail, it does this by hitting the thick / tough outer layer (which can stop antibodies / immunotherapy ‘getting through’) typically surrounding most pancreatic cancers, thus allowing the ‘drugs’ etc. to ‘pour in and get fighting’

Researchers found that mice receiving the HIFU / antibody etc. combination lived longer than mice treated with neither/just one of the treatments