Scientists may be able to detect pancreatic cancer by looking at microorganisms in stool samples, according to new research.
The study, part-funded by Worldwide Cancer Research, has raised hopes of the first screening test for pancreatic cancer.
Researchers found that 27 microbial species in stool samples could pinpoint people at high risk of the most common form of pancreatic cancer.
The 27 microbes, which were mostly bacteria, could distinguish well between people without cancer and those with the disease, both in advanced and early stages.
Microbiome - the collection of fungi, bacteria and viruses that live inside our bodies - is known to interact with the immune system.
Pancreatic cancer is deadly and can be very difficult to treat, with only around one in four people surviving one year or more after diagnosis.
Pancreatic cancer is the fifth most prevalent cancer in the UK, one doctor said, with about 10,000 new cases recorded every year.
The study, published in the journal Gut, involved 136 people, including 57 with pancreatic cancer (25 early stage and 32 advanced), 50 without cancer acting as controls, and 29 patients with chronic pancreatitis, where the pancreas has become permanently damaged by inflammation.
Rapid pancreatis cancer test kits
Experts from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) concluded it is “feasible” for a screening programme to be developed using stool samples that may help pick up pancreatic cancer.
A patent has been applied for development of a pancreatic cancer diagnostic kit that detects the microorganisms in stool samples in a rapid way.
Dr Helen Rippon, chief executive of Worldwide Cancer Research, said: “This new breakthrough builds on the growing evidence that the microbiome – the collection of microorganisms that live side by side with the cells inside our body – is linked to the development of cancer.
“What’s amazing about this discovery is that the microbiome of stool samples from patients could be used to help diagnose pancreatic cancer early.
“Early detection and diagnosis are just as important an approach to starting new cancer cures as developing treatments.
“This research provides hope that an effective, non-invasive way to diagnose pancreatic cancer early is on the horizon.”
Read more like this:
- Would you know signs of pancreatic cancer? Doctor on deadly disease
- Fitness fanatic’s shock diagnosis of pancreatic cancer
Dr Chris MacDonald, head of research at Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: “New, more accurate biomarkers for the detection of pancreatic cancer are urgently needed and it’s vital that we leave no stone unturned.
By sharing the story of her son Robert, Ann explains why "this opportunity to double our donations is one we simply cannot afford to miss in our fight.”
— Pancreatic Cancer UK (@PancreaticCanUK) March 8, 2022
Double your donation now: https://t.co/RyPACNhR1I pic.twitter.com/nkiy0hQSK8
“We know the microbiome – the collection of fungi, bacteria and viruses that live inside our bodies or on our skin – and its interaction with our immune system is integral to our health.
“But we’re only now scratching the surface in understanding how this symbiotic relationship works in both health and disease, which is why innovative early-stage research like this is so important.
“There’s tremendous potential in this area and, as our knowledge of the microbiome grows, we would want to see further research explore whether a new microbiome biomarker can detect pancreatic cancer in people with vague symptoms, not just in patients with known disease.
“Back pain, indigestion, weight loss, changes to poo are all common symptoms in pancreatic cancer and of much less serious health conditions, and this is a key factor in why 80% of people with pancreatic cancer are currently diagnosed at an advanced stage.
“We desperately need an early detection tool capable of helping GPs diagnose thousands more people at early symptomatic stage in time for lifesaving treatment.”
The study was accurate at detecting the most common form of pancreatic cancer – pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Fewer than one in 20 people with this type survive five or more years.
It also found that some microorganisms were abundant in the stool samples of the cancer patients, while others were depleted.
This “microbial profile” consistently identified patients with the disease, irrespective of how far it had progressed.
This finding was replicated in a separate group of 76 German people, 44 of whom had pancreatic ductal cancer and 32 of whom did not, and using other data.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here