Scientists from the University of Toronto in Canada have identified two genes that play a key role in the growth of pancreatic tumors: tumor suppressor gene USP15 and SCAF1. Research has found that people with these two gene mutations are more likely to have tumors that grow rapidly, but these tumors are also more susceptible to the effects of chemotherapy. The latest research is of great significance for understanding and treating pancreatic cancer. The relevant paper was published in the latest issue of the journal Nature Communications. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most fatal malignant diseases. Due to the difficulty of early diagnosis, patients are often in the late stage of disease when they begin to receive treatment, and the mortality rate is high. The latest research leader Daniel Schlamaker pointed out that many cancer patients typically have some common mutated genes, as well as hundreds of less common mutations. Although scientists have found mutations in USP15 and SCAF1 in less than 5% of patients, their impact on cancer is still unknown. In the latest study, Schlamaker utilized advances in genomic medicine, particularly in tumor DNA sequencing and genome editing technology, to investigate 125 genes that undergo repeated mutations within pancreatic tumors in patients. USP15 and SCAF1 were identified as key tumor suppressor factors, as well as potential prognostic factors for chemotherapy response. The latest research suggests that understanding the functional consequences of these rare mutations is crucial as they can reveal new biological and therapeutic opportunities. Although mutations in USP15 and SCAF1 genes make tumors more aggressive, they also make tumors sensitive to standard chemotherapy. (New Society)