Chronic stress and obesity accelerate development as well as the growth of pancreatic cancer, according to a new study by University of California – Los Angeles Health Sciences.
- Chronic stress and obesity can act together on the early development of pancreatic cancer.
- Indeed, the hormones of stress and those linked to obesity activate key routes promoting this cancer.
- The use of drugs contravene beta-adrenergal receptors as well as beta-blockers could be a treatment limiting the impacts of stress and obesity.
The prognosis for pancreatic cancer is particularly pessimistic: its 5 -year survival rate is only 11 %. Two factors could feed its development. Chronic stress and obesity accelerate the growth of this murderous tumor, according to a new study by University of California – Los Angeles Health Sciences.
These works were published in the journal Molecular Cancer ResearchMarch 1, 2025.
Pancreatic cancer: stress and obesity linked to the growth of the tumor
During a study on human cells, researchers spotted that stress and obesity cause changes in pancreatic cells that can lead to cancer. “More specifically, it has been discovered that neurotransmitters linked to stress and hormones related to obesity activate a protein called CREB, which is linked to the growth of cancer cells, by different biological pathways. Stress hormones activate the path of the adrenergic beta/pka receiver, while the signals linked to obesity mainly use the path PKD “write the authors in their press release.
Faced with these results, the researchers conclude that the two factors linked to the lifestyle feed the growth of pancreatic cancer by similar mechanisms.
The team checked their discovery by carrying out experiences on mice. They were nourished with a diet rich in fats to promote obesity. Analyzes have shown that this regime has favored the growth of precancerous lesions of the pancreas. However, when rodents were subject to the stress of social isolation, they presented even more advanced lesions.
Pancreatic cancer: women more sensitive to stress and obesity
During the study with mice, scientists also noticed that the effect of stress was more important in females than males. To explain this phenomenon, they hypothesized that the biological response of women to stress, possibly influenced by estrogen and the increase in the activity of beta-adrenergal receptors, could make them more sensitive to the risk of cancer linked to stress.
To counter the impact of stress hormones and those related to obesity on the risk of pancreatic cancer, the team argues that the use of drugs contravene beta-adrenergal receptors like beta-blockers commonly used against high blood pressure could be a solution. New studies are necessary to explore this track.
