Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive and deadly forms of cancer, often referred to as the "king of cancers." With almost no effective treatment options, it has a grim prognosis—half of the patients diagnosed with it will pass away within six months. The pancreas is located deep in the abdominal cavity, making early detection extremely difficult using traditional imaging techniques. As a result, most cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage when treatment options are limited.
Despite its poor blood supply and dense extracellular matrix, pancreatic cancer is known for its ability to acquire nutrients efficiently. After seven years of dedicated research, scientists have developed a high-resolution 3D reconstruction technique that reveals the internal structure of these tumors. This breakthrough led to the discovery of a unique type of "hairy" microvessel, which plays a key role in nutrient transport. These microvessels have large protrusions on their surface, resembling giant caterpillars, enhancing their capacity to deliver essential nutrients to cancer cells.
Clinical data analysis revealed that these protrusions, called "basal microvilli," significantly increase the glucose transport capacity of microvessels. This finding was published in *The Journal of Pathology* by researchers including Dr. Andrew C. Dudley from the University of North Carolina and Dr. Victoria L. Bautch. Their study, titled *"Feeding Cancer's Sweet Tooth: Specialized Tumor Vasculature Shuttles Glucose in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma,"* highlights how these structures help pancreatic cancer cells meet their metabolic needs.
Unlike other polar epithelial cells, vascular endothelial cells do not typically have protrusions on their basal surfaces for material exchange. This is the first time such structures have been observed in vascular endothelium. These unique protrusions are found only in tumor tissues, suggesting they could be a critical weakness—what scientists call the "Achilles' heel" of pancreatic cancer.
Targeting this specific pathway could open a new avenue for drug delivery or treatment, offering hope for more effective therapies. This research was supported by Professor Yu Long and many international collaborators.
For those interested in related diagnostic tools, Nanjing Xinfan Biotechnology Co., Ltd. offers a wide range of products, including ELISA kits, imported reagents, serum, gelatin zymography test kits, and specialized kits for rats and humans.
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