Pancreatic cancer is, without a doubt, one of the most vicious enemies in the terrain of oncology. Its sly nature tends to make for a late diagnosis, with not much recourse left on the part of the patient and a dire outlook. But hope has been established by a group from the laboratories of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), where the PAC-MANN, a new kind of blood test, has been developed.
The Silent Threat of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer infamously creeps along with very little symptomatology during the early stages of the disease. Common symptoms of jaundice, weight loss, or abdominal pain come only when the cancer has already reached an advanced state, thereby not allowing detection of these changes. The slow diagnosis is responsible for the very low five-year survival rate.
Imaging and biopsy tests, as current diagnostic methods, can be effective but are often employed after symptoms appear. There is an inherent demand for non-invasive and early detection of pancreatic cancer, and this gap is being sought out by PAC-MANN.
Meet PAC-MANN: A Pancreatic Cancer Game-Changer in Early Detection
PAC-MANN, a short form of “protease activity-based assay using a magnetic nanosensor,” is a new blood test invented by OHSU researchers. The test aims to track changes in the activity of proteases since increased activity of these proteins typically serves as an early marker of the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the deadliest and most prevalent type of pancreatic cancer.
The test works by testing a small sample of blood to detect certain proteins, called proteases, which are more active in people with PDAC. By quantifying this protease activity, PAC-MANN is able to separate cancer from non-cancerous conditions with unprecedented accuracy.
Spectacular Accuracy and Possible Impact
In a 350-person study consisting of pancreatic cancer patients, high-risk subjects, and healthy controls, PAC-MANN showed a 98% rate of accuracy in separating cancer from non-cancer. Importantly, it detected early-stage pancreatic cancer with 85% accuracy when combined with the current CA 19-9 test—a widely applied marker in pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
These results indicate that PAC-MANN has the potential to become an important early detection tool, perhaps enabling interventions at a time when the disease is more amenable to treatment. Early detection is especially important because it makes surgery and other treatments, which are less effective in later stages, available.
Beyond Detection: Monitoring Treatment Efficacy
The application of PAC-MANN is not limited to early detection. Researchers noted that following surgery, patients showed a reduction in levels of protease activity, meaning that the test might also be used as an indicator of the effectiveness of treatment. This feature would allow health professionals to individualize treatment in real-time, adapting strategies based on the response of the patient and possibly optimizing outcomes.
Accessibility and Affordability: A Test for All Settings
One of the most impressive aspects of PAC-MANN is its affordability and simplicity. The test involves a tiny blood sample of only 8 microliters and provides results within about 45 minutes. The cost per sample is under a penny, which makes it an affordable choice for mass screening, even in rural and underprivileged regions where sophisticated diagnostic centers might be limited.
Dr. Jose L. Montoya Mira, research engineer at OHSU and lead author of the study, highlighted the test’s possible application: “This could easily be used in rural and underserved settings, where traditional tests are not or cannot be used.”
Looking Ahead: The Path to Clinical Implementation
Though preliminary results hold promise, further clinical trials are warranted to establish PAC-MANN’s efficacy across other populations. The research team at OHSU is preparing to undertake an investigator-initiated trial in collaboration with the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute and the Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, precisely targeting people at high risk for pancreatic cancer.
If the tests are successful, PAC-MANN could provide a completely different approach to detecting and monitoring pancreatic cancer, an urgently needed weapon in the fight against this deadly disease.
A Personal Crusade: Raising Awareness and Funds
The need for early detection techniques such as PAC-MANN is highlighted through individual accounts of loss and activism. Tony Audenshaw, who is famous for his character Bob Hope in the ITV soap “Emmerdale,” lost his wife, Ruth, to pancreatic cancer in 2017. Tony is running the London Marathon to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer UK to support the development of early diagnosis tests in memory of his late wife.
Looking at the significance of such developments, Tony said, “How we wish there’d have been an early detection test ten years ago. This innovation looks like it will, at last, bring a sea change in the outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients.”
Conclusion: A New Horizon in Pancreatic Cancer Care
The creation of the PAC-MANN blood test is a major step in altering the prognosis of pancreatic cancer. By facilitating earlier diagnosis and offering a method for tracking the effectiveness of treatment, PAC-MANN holds out the promise of enhanced survival rates and improved quality of life for patients.
As research continues and the test draws nearer to clinical use, the medical community as well as patients can anticipate a future where pancreatic cancer is diagnosed earlier, treated better, and, in the end, has less of an effect on lives.
