Researchers Find Mechanism behind Malignant Pancreatic Cancer

   Kyoto, July 25 (Jiji Press)--Researchers mainly from Kyoto University have found that impaired function of a specific gene contributes to the malignancy of pancreatic cancer, which is hard to treat with chemotherapy.
   They said that the reduced gene function increases a protein that promotes metastasis and that existing drugs may be effective in suppressing the protein's functions. The finding was published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation in June.
   Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in Japan. The five-year survival rate for the cancer is 8.5 pct, the worst among any cancer.
   Malignant cases account for 30 pct to 40 pct, but the underlying mechanisms had not been well understood.
   The team examined pancreatic cancer tissue removed during surgery and found that the decline in function of Polybromo 1, or PBRM1, a gene that regulates the expression of various proteins, is linked to greater malignancy and a higher risk of relapse.

(2025/07/25-13:27)