Stress and inflammation key to spotting pancreatic cancer before it turns fatal, says US study

A recent US study shows that stress and presence of inflammation helps cancer cells adapt, survive, and spread more easily resulting in early signs of pancreatic cancer (Image: Pexels)

The pancreas plays a vital role in the body, regulating blood sugar and improving digestion by releasing essential enzymes and hormones. Not much attention is paid to this organ until something goes terribly wrong. Pancreatic cancer, one of the most silent and aggressive forms of the disease often creeps in without warning. Early symptoms are easily dismissed as indigestion or fatigue, and by the time diagnosis is made, the cancer is often beyond easy repair.

Once considered relatively rare, pancreatic cancer has widely grown into one of the most feared diseases. Its stealthy nature makes early detection extremely difficult, with most patients only diagnosed in later stages when treatments are far less effective. As current therapies like chemotherapy and radiation struggle to curb spread, scientists have become increasingly focused on ways to catch the disease earlier, and before it turns fatal.

Also Read: 8 Everyday foods that may be silently damaging your kidneys

In a recent study at the University of California, San Diego, researchers identified biological signals within the body’s stress response system. They focused on a protein called STAT3 (Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3), which switches on the presence of inflammation, low oxygen levels, or even chemotherapy. Once active, STAT3 turns on another gene called Integrin β3 (or ITGB3). This gene helps cancer cells adapt, survive, and spread more easily, even in harsh conditions. In short, the body’s stress response may unintentionally help the cancer grow stronger.

5 signs the gene discovery could change the future of pancreatic cancer detection:

ITGB3 reveals tumours before they bloom: Researchers found that ITGB3 activates in pancreas cells during the early, pre-cancerous stages, before tumours have fully formed, opening the door to earlier diagnosis.

The “STRESS” signature gives a clearer prediction: The team identified a 10-gene pattern, nicknamed “STRESS”, which includes ITGB3. This signature offers a more accurate forecast of how aggressive the cancer may become, outpacing older genetic markers.

It sheds light on why some treatments fail: Chemotherapy, while attacking cancer, can ironically trigger the same stress pathways that help the cancer survive. Understanding this could help refine treatment plans to avoid fuelling the problem.

Also Read: 5 health risks of over-exercising you should know

Blocking STAT3 may delay tumour development: When researchers blocked the STAT3 pathway in experimental models, it significantly slowed tumour initiation, suggesting a new route for early intervention.

May help spot other cancers too: Since ITGB3 is also found in cancers of the lung, breast, and skin, this discovery could lead to better screening tools across a range of diseases, not just pancreatic cancer.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.