Scientists have created a long-sought mouse model of pancreatic cancer, possibly opening the door for the development of new screening methods and therapies. Pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, killing approximately 30,000 Americans each year, usually within a few months of being diagnosed. In the absence of any techniques for early detection, by the time pancreatic cancers are found, they are usually too far advanced to be removed surgically. In addition, this type of cancer fails to respond to chemotherapy and radiation.

Now, a group led by Ronald A. DePinho of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston, MA) report the creation of a mouse strain that develops metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma that mimics the condition in humans (Genes Dev., 15 December 2003). The research team found that mice with an activated mutant version of the oncogene Kras and an inactive tumor suppressor gene Ink4a/Arf developed highly invasive pancreatic cancer and died by 11 weeks of age. The presence of both genetic abnormalities was necessary for the development of cancer.

This new mouse model may prove to be a highly effective tool in the understanding of the development of this type of cancer. Furthermore, because these mice develop cancer by the same genetic pathway as do humans, studying them at different time points may lead to the discovery of biomarkers that can be used for early detection of pancreatic cancer in humans.