Scientists Eliminate Pancreatic Tumours in Mice Using New Therapy

Scientists have reported a promising advance in pancreatic cancer research after successfully eliminating tumours in laboratory mice using a three-drug combination therapy. The findings, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), suggest a new approach that could eventually lead to improved treatment options for one of the deadliest forms of cancer.

Pancreatic cancer therapies often stop working within a short time because tumours rapidly develop resistance. However, researchers say this new treatment strategy was able to suppress tumour growth without triggering resistance, a major challenge in current therapies.

According to the researchers, the results provide a strong foundation for developing innovative combination treatments that may extend survival rates for patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the most common type of pancreatic cancer. They also believe the success of the study supports moving toward future clinical trials in humans.

The research was led by Dr. Mariano Barbacid, head of the Experimental Oncology Group at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO). His team tested a combination of an experimental cancer drug—already approved for treating lung cancer—alongside a protein-degrading agent. This strategy resulted in the complete removal of tumours in three different mouse models, with no serious side effects observed.

The achievement has drawn international attention. The Embassy of Spain in the United Kingdom shared the news on social media, praising the research team and noting its potential impact on the global fight against pancreatic cancer. The embassy highlighted that the tumours did not return in experimental models, raising hopes for long-term treatment effectiveness.

While further research and human trials are still required, scientists believe this discovery marks an important step toward more effective and durable treatments for pancreatic cancer in the future.