Determining the marker gene of pancreatic cancer can predict survival

Scientists have discovered how to distinguish between pancreatic cancer and non-cancerous tissue, according to new research. This method also allows recognition of patients who are able to survive over 2 years.

The study tested on microscopic molecules called microRNA (miRNA) of pancreatic cancer cells. It proves that certain levels of miRNA relationships can distinguish pancreatic cancer cells from non-cancerous adjacent tissues and with inflamed pancreatic tissue.

The study was conducted by researchers at Ohio State University's Center for Cancer, published in May 2, of the American Medical Association magazine . 'Our research shows that miRNAs can help detect disease earlier and distinguish it from non-cancerous conditions,' said first author Mark Bloomston, associate professor of cancer hospital surgery. James, Ohio State and Solove Research Institute have said.

Bloomston said: 'We also realized that we could predict which patients would be better or worse based on a few accurate miRNAs. The correlation with such survival was previously lacking for pancreatic cancer. "

Pancreatic cancer is expected to attack 37,170 Americans and kill 33,370 others this year, making it the fourth leading cause of death in both men and women. The number of new cases recently equals the number of people who die from a disease that is difficult to diagnose early and because there is very little progress in treatment.

In this study, Bloomston and colleagues examined tumor samples from 65 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the most common form of the disease. They extracted miRNA from isolated tumor cells and adjacent non-cancerous pancreatic tissue. In addition, they isolated miRNA from pancreatic cells of people undergoing surgery for chronic pancreatitis, a pancreatitis infection often associated with pancreatic cancer.

Perhaps more surprising is that miRNAs that can distinguish between long-lived and short-lived people are miRNAs that are not specific to pancreatic cancer . 'These miRNAs have not been studied much, so we do not know what their importance will be basically , ' Bloomston said. 'Our findings are really just the beginning. Now we and others need to determine the role of these molecules in pancreatic cancer and study what they will do. "

MicroRNAs, first discovered 15 years ago, help control the type and amount of cells naturally produced by altering other genes. Research in the past few years has shown that they also play an important role in cancer. So far, more than 300 different human miRNAs have been identified

Ngoc Thanh