When the cancer cells of the pancreas no longer have access to the sugar, they feed on another molecule, uridine.
- Researchers have discovered that cancer cells in the pancreas could feed on another molecule in the absence of glucose.
- Uridine, this molecule, is produced by the organization, but the researchers failed to determine its exact source.
- This discovery could allow new treatments against pancreatic cancer, particularly deadly.
According to L‘National Cancer Institute14,184 new cases of pancreatic cancer was screened in France in 2018, including 51 % in men. This cancer turns out to be one of the deadliest since 11,400 people have died, almost as many new cases as deaths, said The 2022 edition of the cancer panorama in France.
Uridine to replace sugar
A new study, published in the journal Naturecould provide new clues to explain the resistance of this pathology. Researchers have indeed observed that when cancer cells can no longer feed on glucose (sugar), they are then able to adapt and replace it with another molecule called Uridine. They therefore have adaptability, which could explain their resistance.
“” “The ability of cancer to switch to alternative nutrients fascinates me for a long time, exhibits Zeribe Nwosu, one of the authors of this study, in a press release. Block this [comportement] compensatory could us [aider à élaborer] new treatments and it is [ce que nous espérons avec] This study.“”
Better understand and treat pancreatic cancer
Currently, researchers were unable to determine the exact source of uridine in tumor microenvironment, or how cancer cells access it. “” “It is in the blood circulation, but we do not know where it comes specificallyspecifies Costas Lyssiotis. It probably comes from several places, and so far, we have not been able [de déterminer] Only one source.“”
When cancer cells no longer have enough nutrients in their environment, due to competition with other cells for example, they adapt and use urridine. “”Cancer cells seem to detect the concentrations of glucose and uridine in the local environment to adapt better ”specifies Matt Ward, another author of this study.
Pancreas cancer is asymptomatic for a long period and, in 80 % to 90 % of cases, it is diagnosed at an advanced stage, explains the website of the website Vidalwhich limits the chances of success of treatment. However, this work is hopeful: “There is a potential to better understand and treat pancreatic cancer, with new drug targets and therapeutic approaches“Concludes Anguraj Sadanandam, author of the study.
