Cancers cells typically exhibits greater acidity as compared to healthy cells in the body, thereby a new method of targeted therapy can be achieved with established biomarkers which, can be used in other cancer therapies.
Molecular probing is one of the most efficient techniques, which is used nowadays in the detection of cancer. Probes are tailor-made chemical that attaches to the cancer cells thereby acting as antennas in different type of diagnostic imaging. Cancers cells typically exhibits greater acidity as compared to healthy cells in the body. Therefore a probe is fortified with a pH indicator and as it bonds to a cancer cell with the help of its colour change it indicates the site of the malignant cell, causing great help in the molecular diagnosis of cancer.
Recently a scientist of Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, showed that most of the pancreatic derived cancer cell lines are exhibit functional weakness which can be used against them. The specified malignant cell lines are totally associated with a protein peroxidoxin 4 (PRDX4), through which altered metabolic state has been achieved. It was also proven that this addiction is very much necessary for the cancer cells to survive and exhibit various metastatic function. Although this association can also be used against the progression of cancer cells, that is, it may also act as a potential target.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers for obvious reason. In early stage it includes the symptoms, which are not at all indicative of this particular disease. Apart from that the organ pancreas is well hidden behind other organs like liver, spleen, gall bladder, bile duct, etc. Moreover, after surgical therapy also, this particular type of cancer may also show recurrence of its symptoms.
The pancreatic cancer is characterized by the increased secretion of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NADPH). Although binding to an anti-oxidant protein, PRDX4, the toxic by-product resulting from the metabolism of malignant cells is also destroyed. This destruction is also carried by enhanced oxidative stress. This protein is also associated with lesser toxicity thereby potentially opening up a wider window for therapy.
