Researchers at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Darlinghurst set out to see if there were any differences between those pancreatic tumours that metastasise and those that do not spread beyond their original location. They turned their attention to the tissue immediately surrounding the tumour cells, which was referred to as the matrix - the function of this tissue was to bind the individual tumour cells together.

The Australian researchers ultimately observed that aggressive forms of pancreatic cancer have specific molecules in the matrix that promote tumour resistance to chemotherapy, as well as facilitating tumour cell spread beyond their primary location. The researchers identified one specific substance that had a significant effect on the occurrence of the above-mentioned phenomena - it was a protein called perlecan.

However, the scientists' work did not end there - they decided to see if reducing the amount of perlecan in the tumour matrix could have an impact on the course of pancreatic cancer. This was achieved through genetic modification and ultimately turned out to be a very beneficial change - it increased the sensitivity of pancreatic cancer to chemotherapy and reduced the tumours' ability to metastasise.

These findings can definitely be seen as valuable - after all, it is possible that, in the future, influencing precisely the various substances produced by pancreatic cancer could have a beneficial effect on the treatment of the disease and lead to a reduction in the number of deaths from the disease.