Pancreatic Cancer (PNCA)
Pancreatic cancer (PNCA) is a devastating disease with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis. Our company is at the forefront of drug and therapy development services for pancreatic cancer, aiming to increase the speed and success of research and development for global pharmaceutical companies.
Overview of Pancreatic Cancer (PNCA)
Pancreatic cancer, also known as pancreatic carcinoma or PNCA, is a malignancy that originates in the pancreas, a gland located behind the stomach. The incidence of pancreatic cancer ranges from 1 to 9 cases per 100,000 individuals in the population. It develops from the uncontrolled growth of cells within the pancreas, leading to the formation of tumors. This disease exhibits aggressive behavior and carries a poor prognosis, largely due to its tendency to be detected at advanced stages.
Pathogenesis of Pancreatic Cancer (PNCA)
The KRAS gene is frequently mutated in pancreatic cancer, with a prevalence of approximately 90% among cases. Additionally, other commonly altered genes in this disease include CDKN2A, TP53, and SMAD4. These genetic mutations disrupt signaling pathways that regulate crucial cellular processes such as growth, survival, and differentiation. As a consequence, these alterations contribute to uncontrolled cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, which are critical aspects of pancreatic cancer progression.
Fig.1 Initiation and progression of pancreatic cancer. (Halbrook, Christopher J., et al., 2023)Biomarkers of Pancreatic Cancer (PNCA)
The identification of reliable biomarkers for pancreatic cancer diagnosis and prognosis is crucial for early detection and effective management of the disease. Although no single biomarker has emerged as a definitive diagnostic tool, several candidates have shown promise in research studies.
- Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) is the most extensively studied biomarker for pancreatic cancer. However, its specificity is limited, as it can be elevated in other pancreatic and hepatobiliary diseases, as well as other malignancies.
- Other potential biomarkers, such as serum macrophage inhibitory cytokine 1 (MIC-1) and combined panels of proteins and microRNAs, have shown improved diagnostic accuracy when used in conjunction with existing biomarkers.
Fig.2 Application of liquid biopsy in early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. (Yang, Jinshou, et al., 2021)Therapy Development of Pancreatic Cancer (PNCA)
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy plays a crucial role in the therapeutics of advanced pancreatic cancer. The combination of FOLFIRONOX (mFOLFIRINOX with 5-fluorouracil) has been shown to improve overall survival compared to gemcitabine alone. Additionally, the use of nab-paclitaxel in combination with gemcitabine has demonstrated efficacy.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapies, such as erlotinib and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, have shown promise in specific subsets of pancreatic cancer. Immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, is also being investigated in human trials to harness the power of the immune system against pancreatic cancer.
Our Services
Effective therapy for pancreatic cancer requires targeting specific molecular pathways and cellular processes involved in tumor growth and progression. At our company, we are dedicated to advancing the field of pancreatic cancer diagnostics and therapy through our innovative services.
Therapy Development Platforms
Animal Models of Pancreatic Cancer (PNCA)
We specialize in the development of animal models for pancreatic cancer research. Our animal models accurately recapitulate the characteristics of human pancreatic cancer, providing valuable tools for studying disease mechanisms, evaluating therapeutic efficacy, and conducting preclinical testing.
| Genetically Engineered Models | ||
|---|---|---|
| Genetically engineered models (GEMs) have greatly contributed to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying pancreatic cancer. Our company excels in the development of GEMs that accurately recapitulate key genetic alterations found in human pancreatic tumors. | ||
| Optional Genetic Modifications | BRCA2, ORSS1, CDKN2A/PI16INK4A, STK11/LKB1, and PALB2 | |
| Patient-derived Xenografts (PDXs) Models | ||
| Our company specializes in the development of PDX models using tumor fragments obtained directly from patients. These models faithfully preserve the genetic and histological characteristics of the original tumor, providing a more representative platform for preclinical research. | ||
| Optional Species | Mice, Pigs, Dogs, Others | |
In addition to GEMs and PDXs, our company offers a wide range of other model development services to support pancreatic cancer research. These services include the development of novel animal models, such as orthotopic models that mimic the anatomical features of pancreatic tumors, as well as the creation of cell line-based xenograft models for high-throughput drug screening.
If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us for more details and quotation information of related services.
References
- Halbrook, Christopher J., et al. "Pancreatic cancer: Advances and challenges." Cell 186.8 (2023): 1729-1754.
- Zhu, Huiyun, et al. "Pancreatic cancer: challenges and opportunities." BMC medicine 16 (2018): 1-3.
- McGuigan, Andrew, et al. "Pancreatic cancer: A review of clinical diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment and outcomes." World journal of gastroenterology 24.43 (2018): 4846.
- Yang, Jinshou, et al. "Early screening and diagnosis strategies of pancreatic cancer: a comprehensive review." Cancer Communications 41.12 (2021): 1257-1274.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.