Cancer Cells Use Damaged Pancreatic Tissue to Promote Tumor Growth

Pancreatic cancer remains an aggressive disease with limited improvements in patient survival rates over the years. Recent research conducted by scientists at Karolinska Institutet, in collaboration with Karolinska University Hospital and other institutions, has uncovered new insights into how these tumor cells adapt and thrive within the pancreas. The study reveals that pancreatic cancer cells not only invade the connective tissue known for its dense matrix but also exploit damaged areas of normal pancreatic tissue to foster their growth. This exploitation occurs as tumor cells infiltrate regions where the tissue is injured or destroyed, creating a microenvironment conducive to tumor progression. Interestingly, tumor cells in these damaged zones tend to exhibit a 'classical' tumor profile, which differs from the more aggressive types found in the collagen-rich connective tissue. These damaged areas often contain support cells that express NGFR, a protein linked to the tissue healing process. This suggests that the tumor may manipulate repair mechanisms to support its expansion, potentially influencing how the disease responds to therapies. The findings, published in Nature Communications and based on samples from 108 patients, provide new perspectives on pancreatic cancer's adaptability and may explain some variations in treatment outcomes. This research underscores the importance of understanding the tumor's microenvironment and how tissue damage influences tumor behavior, opening avenues for more targeted treatment strategies in the future.