Pancreatic cancer breakthrough shows tumors removed in mice

Researchers at Spain’s CNIO report a triple‑target approach completely removed pancreatic tumors in mouse models, and the team says clinical trials are not imminent.

Researchers at Spain’s National Cancer Research Center (CNIO) announced results they described as a major advance against pancreatic cancer. They reported a triple‑target strategy removed pancreatic tumors completely in mouse models and prevented resistance from appearing. The team said the regression was significant and long‑lasting without causing significant toxicities. The results are published in PNAS, and the authors cautioned that clinical trials are not imminent. Key findings: - The Barbacid group at CNIO reported complete removal of pancreatic tumors in mice using a triple combination approach. - The researchers reported significant and long‑lasting tumor regression without significant toxicities and without resistance emerging. - The strategy targets the KRAS signaling pathway at three points; in mouse models genetic removal of three molecules in that pathway led to permanent tumor disappearance. - The results are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). - Mariano Barbacid and colleagues said they are not yet in a position to carry out clinical trials with the triple therapy and do not expect short‑term clinical testing. - The U.S. National Cancer Institute is cited noting more than 67,000 U.S. diagnoses of pancreatic cancer in 2025 and more than 51,000 U.S. deaths last year. Summary: These reported results are described as opening a pathway to the design of combination therapies that might improve survival for pancreatic cancer in the future. Undetermined at this time.