Why Pancreatic Cancer?

As with any cancer, pancreatic cancer is a disease in which normal cells begin to grow uncontrollably. The pancreas is a vital organ behind the stomach that helps regulate digestion and blood sugar levels. It contains three main types of cells, each with different functions.

The most common form of pancreatic cancer — called pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) — is thought to develop from the ductal and acinar cells. These cells are responsible for producing and transporting digestive enzymes into the intestine.

Researchers have shown that chronic inflammation of the pancreas, known as chronic pancreatitis, increases the risk for developing PDAC. Even though PDAC is not one of the most common cancers, it is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Western countries because of its rapid progression, silent development, and limited treatment options when diagnosed late.

Pancreatic cancer often grows silently, without clear or specific symptoms, and is frequently diagnosed at a late stage when the cancer has already spread, most often to the liver. This growth pattern makes early detection and treatment especially challenging. 

Additionally, there are no widely used and cost-effective screening tests for people without symptoms, and the pancreas is hidden deep inside the body, making early tumors difficult to see through routine imaging or exams.

The truth is, we still have much to learn about the biology of this disease. One of the biggest challenges is that the tumor is highly heterogeneous, which means several diseases within the same tumor mass exist. If we target one population of cancer cells, another one may take over. 

Pancreatic cancer cells are also highly adaptable and plastic, meaning they can change in response to their environment, including resisting the effects of drugs. Another important reason is that, for many years, pancreatic cancer has received less research funding and attention than other cancers. Fewer resources have meant fewer researchers working on understanding it. 

But this is changing. Today, more scientists are focusing on pancreatic cancer, and advances in research are giving us new tools and knowledge that we hope will lead to better, more effective treatments.