Scientists reverse pancreatic cancer progression in ‘time machine’ made of human cells

https://www.sciencedaily.com ^ | September 30, 2021 | Purdue University

[Red Badger]

What makes pancreatic cancer so deadly is its covert and quick spread. Now, a "time machine" built by Purdue University engineers has shown a way to reverse the course of cancer before it spreads throughout the pancreas.

"These findings open up the possibility of designing a new gene therapy or drug because now we can convert cancerous cells back into their normal state," said Bumsoo Han, a Purdue professor of mechanical engineering and program leader of the Purdue Center for Cancer Research. Han has a courtesy appointment in biomedical engineering.

The time machine that Han's lab built is a lifelike reproduction of a pancreatic structure called the acinus, which produces and secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine. Pancreatic cancer tends to develop from chronic inflammation that happens when a mutation has caused these digestive enzymes to digest the pancreas itself.

If there were a way to go back in time to reprogram the cancerous acinar cells that produce those enzymes, then it might be possible to completely reset the pancreas.

For the past decade, Stephen Konieczny, professor emeritus in Purdue's Department of Biological Sciences, has studied a potential reset button: a gene called PTF1a.

"The PTF1a gene is absolutely critical for normal pancreas development. If you lack the PTF1a gene, you don't develop a pancreas," Konieczny said. "So, our whole idea was, if we turn the PTF1a gene back on in a pancreatic cancer cell, what happens? Will we revert the cancer phenotype? Indeed, that's exactly what happens."

Konieczny collaborated with Han's lab to take these findings in molecular biology studies to the next level by testing them in a realistic model of the acinus -- the time machine. The published study is featured on the cover of the Oct. 7 issue of Lab on a Chip,

[Red Badger]

Summary: What makes pancreatic cancer so deadly is its covert and quick spread. Now, a 'time machine' has shown a way to reverse the course of cancer before it spreads throughout the pancreas. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[cyn]

Fascinating possibility!

[lurk]

This will come in handy in maybe 20-30 years after development and testing. The Israelis are also making some optimistic strides.

Pancreatic cancer beats you about 100% of the time.

[rarestia]

Lost my dad 3 years ago this month. He fought for 18 long months but yeah, it always wins.

[freespirit2012]

Thanks for sharing, very interesting.

[WVNan]

This the one thing I’m afraid of because you never win, and my Pancreas is problematic requiring Prylosec.

[thinden]

Summary: What makes pancreatic cancer so deadly is its covert and quick spread. Now, a ‘time machine’ has shown a way to reverse the course of cancer before it spreads throughout the pancreas. -

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huge

[DannyTN]

Can we send my ex girlfriend back in time?

There’s several types of cells I’d like to see reverted. Brain, skin, fat, etc...

[Yo-Yo]

Pancreatic cancer took both my mother and my uncle.

I hope this research leads to a treatment or even a cure.

[Trillian]

I hope they are successful. This is a very deadly cancer with a low survival rate.