UCLA investigators have been successful in finding four Biomarkers in human saliva that will in future prevent Pancreatic Cancer. The researchers are from the University of California at Los Angeles School of Dentistry, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA School of Public Health and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA.
Did you know"According to the American Cancer Society, pancreatic cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. and the lifetime risk of developing it is about one in 72."
The investigators identify four messenger RNA (mRNA) biomarkers, KRAS, MBD3L2, ACRV1 and DPM1, that differentiated pancreatic cancer patients from noncancer subjects with 90 percent sensitivity and 95 percent specificity. The study used a set of 30 pancreatic cancer patients, 30 chronic pancreatitis patients and 30 healthy controls to compare data in the findings.
In short the saliva biomarkers potentially are able to diagnose the condition early and will eventually save thousands of lives.
Dr. Wong, also at the UCLA has previously established studies that identify Oral Cancer using salivary Biomarkers. He also believes that in the future dentists will be able to diagnose numerous medical conditions—including pancreatic cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease—in their offices.
The article may be accessed by subscribers at www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(09)02000-9/abstract
