Pancreatic cancer cells express excessive amounts of a cell receptor known as the RON receptor tyrosine kinase, a finding that has potential implications for treatment, according to a research team led by University of Cincinnati scientists (Thomas RM et al. Cancer Research. http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/ [published online ahead of print July 1, 2007]). Overall survival for pancreatic cancer is only about 4%, according to the National Cancer Institute, at least in part because the disease spreads before it can be detected.
The RON receptor is involved in signaling pathways and is overexpressed in several cancers. This latest study found that this receptor was abundantly expressed in 93% of early pancreatic duct cancers called high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, as well as in 79% of primary pancreatic cancers and 83% of metastatic cancers. Minimal expression was seen in normal ducts and low-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (6% and 18%, respectively).
Because the researchers witnessed higher levels of RON expression as cells became more invasive, they suspect that the receptor's action could contribute to pancreatic cancer progression. If that proves to be the case, then blocking the receptor with new agents could be a potentially effective therapy for pancreatic cancer.
Although stimulating the RON receptor had no effect on pancreatic cell growth in the laboratory, blocking it with targeted antibodies in addition to chemotherapy killed more cancer cells than did chemotherapy alone.
Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature
Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal
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