Spanish National Cancer Research Centre Researchers have now found a major development in combination therapy that induces complete regression of pancreatic tumours and prevents tumour resistance in preclinical models. In this research, which describes a targeted combination therapy that targets three pathways in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), which is the most common and lethal type of pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is still hard to treat, with very low survival rates and a limited number of effective therapies worldwide. The latest research has found ways to tackle this by targeting RAF1, EGFR family receptors, and STAT3 signalling, critical nodes in tumour growth and survival. Read more about this below.
Pancreatic Cancer Regression Drug Trio
Pancreatic cancer, also pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), is known to be one of the hardest and most challenging cancers to treat. Its prognosis is dire, with survival rates only reaching 10% over five years. This is primarily attributed to the swift development of resistance to most treatment options. This is a new ray of hope for many cancer survivors.
In this new Pancreatic Cancer Regression Drug Trio breakthrough, there are many new things included: RMC-6236 (daraxonrasib) – a medication that specifically targets the KRAS gene, which is vital in the formation of PDAC tumours; Afatinib – an inhibitor of the EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) family; SD36 – a selective degrader of STAT3, which aims to inhibit the STAT3 pathway that is crucial for tumor survival.
What Is Pancreatic Tumour Regression
In the investigation, researchers judge this combination therapy in preclinical models, including orthotopic mouse models (where tumour cells are introduced in areas that imitate the human pancreas). The outcomes were nothing less than astonishing: the combination therapy achieved complete and sustained regression of pancreatic tumours.
The most exciting detail? No evidence of tumour resistance was observed, even after over 200 days post-treatment. This marks an important progress, as most cancer therapies eventually die to resistance.
What Makes this Pancreatic Cancer Regression So Important?
A major obstacle in cancer treatment is the issue of resistance. Conventional therapies, which typically focus on a single pathway, encounter the challenge of cancer cells evolving and discovering alternative growth methods. This innovative therapy includes a triple-inhibition approach, effectively circumventing that challenge.
Researchers have discovered that alternatively targeting the KRAS gene (downstream), EGFR receptors (upstream), and STAT3 pathways (parallel survival pathways) prevents the tumour from acquiring resistance.
Complete Cure Of Cancer News
A recent study done by Spain’s National Cancer Research Centre has revealed a new significant treatment for pancreatic cancer. This therapy, which integrates three different drugs, focuses on crucial signalling pathways to achieve complete regression of pancreatic tumours in preclinical models.
The treatment effectively halted tumour growth without any indications of resistance for more than 200 days. This significant advancement may pave the way for upcoming clinical trials and could potentially enhance survival rates for one of the most lethal cancers.
In the study, the preclinical models employed included genetically engineered mouse tumours and human cancer tissues, known as patient-derived tumour xenografts (PDX). This wide array of testing enhances the justification for this therapy as a legitimate option for the treatment of human pancreatic cancer.
The combination therapy was effective in not only reducing tumour size but also in entirely stopping tumour growth in both mouse and human-derived models, demonstrating the potential for this therapy to be beneficial at various stages of the disease.
