Researchers from National Chung Cheng University (CCU) and National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) have identified a novel signaling mechanism in pancreatic cancer patients, knowledge of which might help improve survival rates for the deadly disease.
The newly-discovered TIMP1-CD63 signaling mechanism causes Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue (KRAS)-mutated cells found in about 90 percent of pancreatic cancer patients to evade destruction by the immune system, the CCU and NCKU said last week.
The researchers found that a gene deficiency known as dual specificity phosphatase-2 (DUSP2) helps KRAS-mutated cells continue growing.
Photo: Screen grab from National Cheng Kung University’s Web site
The interaction of those factors results in a “vicious cycle” that promotes the progression of pancreatic cancer, which has a survival rate of less than 10 percent, the researchers said.
“Disruption of the vicious cycle ... may be a highly potential way to inhibit pancreatic cancer progression,” the researchers said.
Led by CCU Department of Physiology chair professor Tsai Shaw-jenq (蔡少正) and NCKU College of Medicine dean Shan Yan-shen (沈延盛), the research team published their findings in the scientific journal Molecular Cancer last month.
Photo: Screen grab from National Cheng Kung University’s Web site
The paper, titled “Intercellular TIMP-1-CD63 signaling directs the evolution of immune escape and metastasis in KRAS-mutated pancreatic cancer cells,” was based on in vitro and in vivo experiments on mice, as well as spatial transcriptomic analysis of tumors.
“Understanding interactions between various cells in pancreatic cancer tumor micro-environments is of great significance for developing blocking strategies, improving early diagnosis rates and improving patient prognoses,” Shan said.
The research supports the view that chronic inflammation is a major factor in cancer progression, because it draws a large presence of macrophages — large immune system cells that digest pathogens.
Based on the interaction of active TIMP-1-CD63 signaling and low DUSP2, the presence of macrophages triggered the “vicious cycle” of tumor growth and might actually play a role in sustaining tumor progression, researchers said.
The research was primarily funded by Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council and National Health Research Institutes.
The first two F-16V Bock 70 jets purchased from the US are expected to arrive in Taiwan around Double Ten National Day, which is on Oct. 10, a military source said yesterday. Of the 66 F-16V Block 70 jets purchased from the US, the first completed production in March, the source said, adding that since then three jets have been produced per month. Although there were reports of engine defects, the issue has been resolved, they said. After the jets arrive in Taiwan, they must first pass testing by the air force before they would officially become Taiwan’s property, they said. The air force
GLOBAL: Although Matsu has limited capacity for large numbers of domestic tourists, it would be a great high-end destination for international travelers, an official said Lienchiang County’s (Matsu) unique landscape and Cold War history give it great potential to be marketed as a destination for international travelers, Tourism Administration Director General Chen Yu-hsiu (陳玉秀) said at the weekend. Tourism officials traveled to the outlying island for the Matsu Biennial, an art festival that started on Friday to celebrate Matsu’s culture, history and landscape. Travelers to Matsu, which lies about 190km northwest of Taipei, must fly or take the state-run New Taima passenger ship. However, flights are often canceled during fog season from April to June. Chen spoke about her vision to promote Matsu as a tourist attraction in
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, would pose a steep challenge to Taiwan’s ability to defend itself against a full-scale invasion, a defense expert said yesterday. Institute of National Defense and Security Research analyst Chieh Chung (揭仲) made the comment hours after the PLAN confirmed the carrier recently passed through the Taiwan Strait to conduct “scientific research tests and training missions” in the South China Sea. China has two carriers in operation — the Liaoning and the Shandong — with the Fujian undergoing sea trials. Although the PLAN needs time to train the Fujian’s air wing and
PAWSITIVE IMPACT: A shop owner said that while he adopted cats to take care of rodents, they have also attracted younger visitors who also buy his dried goods In Taipei’s Dadaocheng (大稻埕), cats lounging in shops along Dihua Street do more than nap amid the scent of dried seafood. Many have become beloved fixtures who double as photography models, attracting visitors and helping boost sales in one of the capital’s most historic quarters. A recent photo contest featuring more than a dozen shop cats drew more than 2,200 submissions, turning everyday cat-spotting into a friendly competition that attracted amateur and professional photographers. “It’s rare to see cats standing, so when it suddenly did, it felt like a lucky cat,” said Sabrina Hsu (徐淳蔚), who won the NT$10,000 top prize in
RSS