Disabling pancreatic cancer defences

Background

Pancreatic cancer is the fifth cause of cancer-related death in Australia and has an extremely low five-year survival rate. Even with the best care, patients with advanced tumours will, in most cases, die within 12 months of their diagnosis.

Chemotherapy is the standard treatment for pancreatic cancer patients, but over time it becomes ineffective as the tumours develop scar tissue that protects the tumour cells from therapy. This scar tissue is made up of collagen fibres which act as a barrier to treatment.

The research

In this project, Dr Chitty and her team will test a dual treatment approach that targets collagen production in the tumour, alongside standard chemotherapy. The drug the team will use to target the tumour scarring is already approved for use in patients with Wilsons disease.