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Review
. 2023 Sep 18;11(9):2557.
doi: 10.3390/biomedicines11092557.

Pancreatic Cancer and Detection Methods

Umbhorn Ungkulpasvich  1 , Hideyuki Hatakeyama  1 , Takaaki Hirotsu  1 , Eric di Luccio  1
Affiliations
Review

Pancreatic Cancer and Detection Methods

Umbhorn Ungkulpasvich et al. Biomedicines. .

Abstract

The pancreas is a vital organ with exocrine and endocrine functions. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas caused by alcohol consumption and gallstones. This condition can heighten the risk of pancreatic cancer (PC), a challenging disease with a high mortality rate. Genetic and epigenetic factors contribute significantly to PC development, along with other risk factors. Early detection is crucial for improving PC outcomes. Diagnostic methods, including imagining modalities and tissue biopsy, aid in the detection and analysis of PC. In contrast, liquid biopsy (LB) shows promise in early tumor detection by assessing biomarkers in bodily fluids. Understanding the function of the pancreas, associated diseases, risk factors, and available diagnostic methods is essential for effective management and early PC detection. The current clinical examination of PC is challenging due to its asymptomatic early stages and limitations of highly precise diagnostics. Screening is recommended for high-risk populations and individuals with potential benign tumors. Among various PC screening methods, the N-NOSE plus pancreas test stands out with its high AUC of 0.865. Compared to other commercial products, the N-NOSE plus pancreas test offers a cost-effective solution for early detection. However, additional diagnostic tests are required for confirmation. Further research, validation, and the development of non-invasive screening methods and standardized scoring systems are crucial to enhance PC detection and improve patient outcomes. This review outlines the context of pancreatic cancer and the challenges for early detection.

Keywords: C. elegans; N-NOSE; detection methods; early-cancer screening; pancreatic cancer.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Illustration of the pancreas. (a) Location of the pancreas in the human body, (b) comparison among the normal pancreas, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Risk factors of PC.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Detection investigations include (1) image visualizations, (2) tissue biopsy and liquid biopsy, (3) sensor-based techniques, and (4) animal-based techniques.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Chemotaxis assay of N-NOSE. In the chemotaxis assay, C. elegans exhibits repulsion towards healthy urine samples, while it shows attraction towards cancer urine samples.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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