Science continues to reveal how certain daily habits may have a profound impact on our health. A study published in the American scientific journal Cancer Discovery warns of the relationship between smoking and pancreas cancer. The investigation, conducted by the University of Michigan, concluded that certain chemicals present in tobacco smoke can accelerate the development of the disease, significantly increasing the risk for those who smoke.
How tobacco influences pancreas cancer
According to the study, chemicals released by tobacco consumption can connect to cells and stimulate the production of a protein called interleukin-22 (IL-23). This protein, according to researchers, enhances a more aggressive growth of pancreatic tumors and facilitates their spread in the body.
The work was done on animal models and showed that when exposed to substances in cigarettes, tumors grew faster and spread more extensively. “This has drastically changed the way tumors behave. They grew a lot and spread all over their body. It was really dramatic,” Timothy L. Frankel told Cancer Discovery, one of the investigation authors.
The role of T cells
The investigators also tested the impact of so-called regulatory T cells, responsible for producing IL-22 and, at the same time, suppressing the immune response against cancer. “It’s a double attack,” Frankel explained.
When scientists eliminated these cells on animals, they found that the effects of tobacco chemicals on tumor growth were reversed. An inhibitor was also identified capable of blocking these toxic substances, significantly reducing the progression of the disease.
Possible implications for treatment
According to investigators, in statements to the same source, the results open the way for new therapeutic approaches. By inhibiting the effects of tobacco chemicals and unlocking natural immunity, it may be possible to improve the response to current immunotherapies, which do not always function effectively in cases of pancreatic cancer.
The study also suggests that smokers should be followed more closely in specialized clinics and informed about early warning signs. People with a family history of pancreas cancer or inflammatory diseases associated with the organ should, underlines Frankel, completely avoid tobacco consumption.
Symptoms not to ignore
The doctor Alexis Missick of UK Meds, quoted by the newspaper Daily Expressstresses that there are early signs that should never be devalued:
- Unexpected weight loss and without apparent explanation, often associated with the body’s inability to digest food correctly.
- Jaundice, which manifests itself in the yellowish eyes.
- Stomach or back pain, which may initially appear intermittently and get worse after meals or lying down.
As the tumor grows, pain tends to intensify, becoming one of the most evident symptoms of the disease.
The message of science
The experts cited by the magazine emphasize that, although the investigation has been conducted on animal models, the conclusions are consistent with known epidemiological data: smoking is one of the main risk factors for pancreatic cancer. The study now comes to detail biological mechanisms that explain this association.
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