From Alzheimer’s to Zebrafish: Eclectic Science and Regulatory Stories 104
Other Diseases
The pancreas is also the linchpin in two current epidemics. When the pancreas goes awry,
it is the source of diabetes, which afflicts more than 23 million people in the US. And as
the tireless brewer of digestive juices, the pancreas is at the front line of the growing inci-
dence of obesity that affects 60% of Americans.18 Researchers have found that the pancreas
helps mediate appetite-related messages between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract.
However, it is not quite clear how the pancreas conveys sensations of hunger and satiety.
When these are understood, the knowledge could lead to new ways to combat obesity.19
Any further discussion about diabetes, obesity or other pancreatic diseases is beyond the
scope of this chapter.
Cancer Treatment
Pancreatic cancer, once invasive, is virtually incurable. The tumors are markedly devas-
cularized, without the normal new blood vessels prevalent in most other forms of cancer.
Without vascularity, nothing can get into the tumor to kill the renegade cells, which are
unstable and extremely virulent. Pancreatic tumors become firm, sclerotic masses that
are tough and fibrous. Current drug therapy adds little to survival time. Thus, there is
an urgent need for improved therapies. Fortunately, a large number of investigational
agents are being developed to target growth factors and angiogenic and other signaling
pathways affected by the disease.20 Stem cells are being used in animal studies to target
tumor cells without hurting healthy tissue.21 New approaches to revascularize tumors
and make them more sensitive to cancer drugs are being tried.22 Recently, researchers at
Massachusetts General Hospital developed two nanoparticles that can deliver two or
more drugs simultaneously in an effort to shrink pancreatic cancer tumors and reduce
their spread. The nanoparticles combine light-based therapy with molecules that inhibit
the growth of cancer cells or the blood vessels that nourish them.23
Final Thoughts
Work has been done to develop an artificial pancreas that could transform diabetes
care.24 Other research has led to a greater understanding of the genetic basis of pancreatic
cancer and helped to develop early detection assays to improve therapeutic strategies.
Sequencing the pancreatic cancer genome is also on the horizon and should eventu-
ally facilitate safer and more-effective targeted therapies for this almost uniformly fatal
disease. These activities, together with new advances in molecular biology, may help to
unmask many of the long time mysteries surrounding the physiology of the pancreas.25
References
1. Thomas L. The Lives of a Cell. New York, NY: The Viking Press:1974.
2. Berger HG, Matsuno S, Cameron JL, eds.: Diseases of the Pancreas: Current Surgical Therapy. Berlin, Germany:
Springer: 2008.
3. Howard JM, Hess W. History of the Pancreas: Mysteries of a Hidden Organ. New York, NY: Kluwer Academic/
Plenum Publishers: 2002.
4. Ibid.
5. Nuland S. Doctors. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf:1988.
6. Op cit 3.
7. Op cit 5.
8. Ibid.
9. Op cit 3.
10. Nuland S. Wisdom of the Body. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf: 1997.
11. Medicine Net Inc. Definition of Pancreas. http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4743.
Accessed 3 November 2009.
12. University of Virginia Health System. Claude Moore Health Sciences Library. http://www.hsl.virginia.edu/
historical/artifacts/antigua/galen.cfm. Accessed 2 November 2009.
13. Angier N. “An organ of many talents, at the root of serious ills.” New York Times. 15 September 2009: D2.
14. Maitra A, Hruban RH.“Pancreatic cancer.” Annu Rev Pathol Mech Dis.2008 3:157-188.
Other Diseases
The pancreas is also the linchpin in two current epidemics. When the pancreas goes awry,
it is the source of diabetes, which afflicts more than 23 million people in the US. And as
the tireless brewer of digestive juices, the pancreas is at the front line of the growing inci-
dence of obesity that affects 60% of Americans.18 Researchers have found that the pancreas
helps mediate appetite-related messages between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract.
However, it is not quite clear how the pancreas conveys sensations of hunger and satiety.
When these are understood, the knowledge could lead to new ways to combat obesity.19
Any further discussion about diabetes, obesity or other pancreatic diseases is beyond the
scope of this chapter.
Cancer Treatment
Pancreatic cancer, once invasive, is virtually incurable. The tumors are markedly devas-
cularized, without the normal new blood vessels prevalent in most other forms of cancer.
Without vascularity, nothing can get into the tumor to kill the renegade cells, which are
unstable and extremely virulent. Pancreatic tumors become firm, sclerotic masses that
are tough and fibrous. Current drug therapy adds little to survival time. Thus, there is
an urgent need for improved therapies. Fortunately, a large number of investigational
agents are being developed to target growth factors and angiogenic and other signaling
pathways affected by the disease.20 Stem cells are being used in animal studies to target
tumor cells without hurting healthy tissue.21 New approaches to revascularize tumors
and make them more sensitive to cancer drugs are being tried.22 Recently, researchers at
Massachusetts General Hospital developed two nanoparticles that can deliver two or
more drugs simultaneously in an effort to shrink pancreatic cancer tumors and reduce
their spread. The nanoparticles combine light-based therapy with molecules that inhibit
the growth of cancer cells or the blood vessels that nourish them.23
Final Thoughts
Work has been done to develop an artificial pancreas that could transform diabetes
care.24 Other research has led to a greater understanding of the genetic basis of pancreatic
cancer and helped to develop early detection assays to improve therapeutic strategies.
Sequencing the pancreatic cancer genome is also on the horizon and should eventu-
ally facilitate safer and more-effective targeted therapies for this almost uniformly fatal
disease. These activities, together with new advances in molecular biology, may help to
unmask many of the long time mysteries surrounding the physiology of the pancreas.25
References
1. Thomas L. The Lives of a Cell. New York, NY: The Viking Press:1974.
2. Berger HG, Matsuno S, Cameron JL, eds.: Diseases of the Pancreas: Current Surgical Therapy. Berlin, Germany:
Springer: 2008.
3. Howard JM, Hess W. History of the Pancreas: Mysteries of a Hidden Organ. New York, NY: Kluwer Academic/
Plenum Publishers: 2002.
4. Ibid.
5. Nuland S. Doctors. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf:1988.
6. Op cit 3.
7. Op cit 5.
8. Ibid.
9. Op cit 3.
10. Nuland S. Wisdom of the Body. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf: 1997.
11. Medicine Net Inc. Definition of Pancreas. http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4743.
Accessed 3 November 2009.
12. University of Virginia Health System. Claude Moore Health Sciences Library. http://www.hsl.virginia.edu/
historical/artifacts/antigua/galen.cfm. Accessed 2 November 2009.
13. Angier N. “An organ of many talents, at the root of serious ills.” New York Times. 15 September 2009: D2.
14. Maitra A, Hruban RH.“Pancreatic cancer.” Annu Rev Pathol Mech Dis.2008 3:157-188.