Pancreatic Cell News Volume 2.37 | Sep 20 2011

Inhibiting Cxcr2 Disrupts Tumor-Stromal Interactions and Improves Survival in a Mouse Model of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Here researchers show that the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells in Kras+Tgfbr2_KO mice secreted much higher levels of several Cxc chemokines compared with mouse pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia cells, which are preinvasive. [J Clin Invest] Abstract | Press Release

DIABETES

High Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging Quantitatively Detects Individual Pancreatic Islets
Researchers studied whether manganese-enhanced high field magnetic resonance imaging could quantitatively detect individual islets in situ and in vivo and evaluate changes in a model of experimental diabetes. [Diabetes] Abstract

Normal Glucagon Signaling and β-Cell Function After Near-Total α-Cell Ablation in Adult Mice
The objectives were to evaluate whether healthy or diabetic adult mice can tolerate an extreme loss of pancreatic α-cells and how this sudden massive depletion affects β-cell function and blood glucose homeostasis. [Diabetes] Abstract

Loss of Intra-Islet CD20 Expression May Complicate Efficacy of B-Cell–Directed Type 1 Diabetes Therapies
The inefficient ability of anti-CD20 treatment to exert late-stage diabetes prevention was found to be attributable to downregulation of CD20 expression upon B cell entry into pancreatic islets. [Diabetes] Abstract

Activation of Protein Kinase C-ζ in Pancreatic β-Cells In Vivo Improves Glucose Tolerance and Induces β-Cell Expansion via mTOR Activation
In this study, researchers examined the effects of PKC-ζ activation in β-cell expansion and function in vivo in mice and the mechanisms associated with these effects. [Diabetes] Abstract

Advanced Glycation End Products Are Direct Modulators of β-Cell Function
Investigators aimed to obtain evidence that exposure to advanced glycation end products play a role in the development of type 1 diabetes. [Diabetes] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Combination of Plasma MicroRNAs with Serum CA19-9 for Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer
The study was performed to identify plasma microRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for pancreatic cancer and to assess their supplementary role with serum CA19-9 in early identification of tumors. [Int J Cancer] Abstract

Immunohistochemical Analysis of Human Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporter-1 (hENT1) Predicts Survival in Resected Pancreatic Cancer Patients Treated with Adjuvant Gemcitabine Monotherapy
The aim of the study was to retrospectively determine the relationship between the outcome of pancreatic cancer after surgery followed by postoperative gemcitabine monotherapy and the expression of human equilibrative nucleoside transporter-1. [Ann Surg Oncol] Abstract

Necrosis and Angioinvasion Predict Adverse Outcome in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors After Curative Surgical Resection: Results of a Single-Center Series
The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of tumor necrosis and angioinvasion on the outcome after curative R0 resection of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. [World J Surg] Abstract

Hydroxyurea Decreases Gemcitabine Resistance in Pancreatic Carcinoma Cells With Highly Expressed Ribonucleotide Reductase
The study aimed to determine whether the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma can be defined on the basis of the expression of genes involved in gemcitabine metabolism and whether combination treatment is more effective than conventional treatment. [Pancreas] Abstract

Hypoxia Signature of Splice Forms of Tryptophanyl-tRNA Synthetase Marks Pancreatic Cancer Cells With Distinct Metastatic Abilities
To correlate metastatic ability with hypoxia and tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS) as a possible prognostic marker, researchers examined messenger RNA and protein expression in 2 human pancreatic cancer cell lines with different metastatic abilities and TrpRS levels using site-specific monoclonal antibodies directed to conformation-dependent epitopes on pancreatic TrpRS. [Pancreas] Abstract

Results of a Multi-Center Study Show microRNA-Based Pancreatic Cancer Assay Improves the Diagnostic Accuracy of FNA Cytology
The data demonstrates that the addition of a microRNA-based molecular test may enhance the diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology on indeterminate and suspicious specimens. [Press release from Asuragen, Inc. discussing research presented at the American Pancreatic Association Annual Meeting 2011, Chicago] Press Release

First Evidence of New ‘Druggable’ DNA Repair Target to Destroy Cancer Cells
Researchers have developed small molecules that block APE1. They tested the ability of these molecules to stop the enzyme from repairing DNA damage in breast, pancreatic and cervical cancer cells containing faults in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. [Press release from Cancer Research UK discussing research presented at the National Cancer Research Institute Cancer Conference, Liverpool] Press Release

JDRF Partners with InnoCentive to Launch a Challenge for the Treatment of Diabetes
JDRF and InnoCentive, Inc. announced a $100,000 Challenge calling for innovative ways to approach the discovery and development of a glucose-responsive insulin drug as a means to treat insulin-dependent diabetes. [Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation] Press Release

Lilly Invests $30 Million in Partnership to Address Non-Communicable Diseases
Eli Lilly and Company announced a $30 million commitment over five years to fight the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in developing nations. The partnership will initially focus on diabetes. [Eli Lilly and Company] Press Release

Albert Einstein College of Medicine Joins International Diabetes Federation to Address Global Diabetes Epidemic
The Global Health Center at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, in collaboration with the International Diabetes Federation, will host the Global Diabetes Symposium in midtown Manhattan. [Albert Einstein College of Medicine] Press Release

Niiki Pharma Announces Positive Interim Data from Ongoing Clinical Trial of Novel Anti-Cancer Agent NKP-1339
Niiki Pharma Inc. announced interim results from the ongoing Phase I clinical trial of its lead product, NKP-1339. [PR Newswire] Press Release

Lyxumia® (lixisenatide) One-Step Regimen as Effective as Two-Step Regimen in Improving Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes
Sanofi announced that Lyxumia® (lixisenatide), a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist under development for type 2 diabetes, achieved its primary efficacy endpoint of significant HbA1c reduction vs. placebo in patients uncontrolled on metformin. [Sanofi] Press Release

Chinese Science Ministry Increases Funding
The Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology unveiled a list of 64 research projects to be funded under the sixth round of its annual National Major Scientific Research Program. [Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology] Press Release

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)
 
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

National Health Service (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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Senior Scientific Advisor for Clinical & Translational Research (The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Postdoctoral Fellow in Cardiovascular/Diabetic Research (Boston University)

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