Latest Research of Pancreatic Cancer Treatment


Posted May 20, 2019 by HelpFightCancerTX

Dr. Gregory Echt, one of the founders of the Sandler-Kenner Foundation, explains the latest developments in research for pancreatic cancer treatments.

 
Irving, TX – May 20, 2019 – Pancreatic cancer has been challenging to detect early for a long time. This is because of the deep location of the pancreas inside the body. Lumps and tumors are not easy to identify during a routine examination. In most cases, the disease shows symptoms when it has already spread making it difficult to treat.

“Doctors are learning about the best ways to prevent and treat pancreatic cancer,” said Dr. Echt. “Researchers are continually working to find new treatment options and vaccines through clinical trials and special imaging tools, blood tests as well as other approaches of finding the disease early before it progresses.”

Here are some of the latest research developments in pancreatic cancer care:

• Molecular/genetic studies – Abnormal or damaged genes cause uncontrolled cell growth in cancer. Research developments are focused on identifying the damaged proteins and genes to repair them or change how they work. Molecular techniques like DNA sequencing and mutational analysis are being used on samples to find genetic changes. Information collected from analyses can be used to develop drugs that will target the changes and potentially screen for pancreatic cancer.

• Gene therapy – This is a therapy that delivers specific genes to cancer cells. The genes are transported by specially designed viruses that carry normal genes to the center of cancer cells. When the cancer cells divide, the inserted normal genes replace the abnormal genes to prevent them from multiplying.

• Cancer stem cells–Research is underway to identify treatments that can specifically target pancreatic cancer stem cells within the tumor that are resistant to standard therapies.

• Palliative care – Clinical trials to find better ways of reducing the side effects and symptoms of treatments for advanced pancreatic cancer to help improve the quality of life and comfort of patients.

“Research through clinical trials are underway to help test cancer vaccines made from pancreatic cancer cells, specific tumor cells or bacteria.” continued Dr. Echt. “More research is being done on immune checkpoint inhibitors like CTLA-4 antibodies to combine with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and new immunotherapies to treat pancreatic cancer."

About The Sandler-Kenner Foundation

The Sandler-Kenner Foundation, established in 2007 as the Las Colinas Cancer Center Foundation, was renamed in early 2011 in the memory of Michael Sandler and Peter Kenner, both of whom passed away from pancreatic cancer, a lethal disease that is difficult to diagnose until it has reached an advanced stage.

Visit them at https://helpfightpancreaticcancer.org/about-us/ to know more.
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Issued By Sandler-Kenner Foundation
Phone 214-379-2779
Business Address 7301 N. State Highway 161, Suite 148
Irving, Texas 75039
Country United States
Categories Health
Tags pancreatic cancer treatment
Last Updated May 20, 2019