Science and Technology Daily (Reporter Zhang Jiaxin) Researchers from Wilmot Cancer Research Institute of the University of Rochester Medical Center in the United States discovered an experimental drug NP137 that can prevent the migration of pancreatic tumors by understanding the genetic changes that occur during the migration process. This drug can treat pancreatic cancer that has spread to the liver. The relevant research is published in the new issue of Cell Reports. Why is pancreatic cancer fatal? Firstly, it spreads very early during development. In 85% of patients, cancer has already spread beyond the pancreas at the time of diagnosis. Secondly, when pancreatic cancer cells reach the liver, they will reprogram on the gene and become more powerful. The result is that newly implanted cancer cells in the liver have significantly different biological characteristics from primary pancreatic tumors and can resist standard treatment. The key gene Netrin-1 is related to pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. Researchers found for the first time that Netrin-1 can drive fatal gene changes when pancreatic cancer cells migrate to the liver. They also showed how Netrin-1 gene activates hepatic stellate cells related to liver fibrosis. In mouse studies, when researchers suppressed Netrin-1 with the anticancer drug NP137, the likelihood of cancer spread was reduced and cancer cell death was caused. Researchers suggest that in clinical trials, eligible patients may be required to take two cycles of NP137 before surgery, undergo surgical resection of the tumor, and then take more NP137 during chemotherapy for up to 6 months after surgery. (New News Agency)