Scientists believe they have found a link between pancreatic cancer and mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells.
The team, from the University of Birmingham, found that patients with pancreatic cancer had lower levels of a protein that helps to control the mitochondria.
Mitochondria are responsible for generating the energy that cells need to function and are found in all human cells.
Previous studies have suggested that mitochondrial dysfunction may play a role in the development of cancer, but the new study is the first to identify a link specifically with pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is a particularly aggressive form of cancer, with a five-year survival rate of just 5%.
The team believes that their findings could lead to the development of new treatments for the disease.
Professor Doug Evans, who led the research, said: “This is a very significant finding which could have important implications for the future treatment of pancreatic cancer.
“We now need to carry out further research to establish whether targeting this protein could be an effective way of treating the disease.”
The findings are published in the journal Nature Cell Biology.
The organelle mitochondria plays an important role in energy metabolism within cells. Now, a new study suggests that alterations in mitochondrial function may also contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is a notoriously difficult cancer to treat, in part because it is often not detected until it has progressed to an advanced stage. However, understanding the underlying mechanisms that drive pancreatic cancer development may help to identify new targets for early detection and treatment.
The new study, conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, examined the role of mitochondria in pancreatic cancer development. Specifically, the researchers looked at how alterations in mitochondrial function may contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer.
The study found that pancreatic cancer cells have alterations in mitochondrial function that are associated with increased cancer risk. In addition, the study found that these alterations in mitochondrial function are linked to a higher risk of pancreatic cancer recurrence.
The findings from this study suggest that mitochondrial function may play a role in the development of pancreatic cancer. While more research is needed to confirm these findings, the results of this study provide new insights into the role of mitochondria in cancer development. These findings may ultimately help to improve pancreatic cancer detection and treatment.
