A scientist from Nottingham Trent University has been awarded more than £74,000 to research new treatments for pancreatic cancer.
Dr Maria Hatziapostolou, who is based in the university’s School of Science and Technology, has discovered a specific gene that plays an important role in the growth of pancreatic cancer tumours and the spread of the disease to other organs.
The money was awarded as part of Pancreatic Cancer UK’s fourth annual Research Innovation Fund (RIF) grants scheme.
Dr Hatziapostolou said: “There is a desperate need for further research to allow us to learn more about the strengths, weaknesses and tactics of pancreatic cancer in the body.
“By understanding more about the disease’s progression and its resistance to treatments, we ultimately will be able to develop strategies of our own to defeat it.”
Figures show more than 170 people die from pancreatic cancer in Nottinghamshire every year and survival rates for the disease have barely improved in the last 40.
Despite this just 1% of total UK cancer research spend has been dedicated to the disease.
Dr Hatziapostolou said: “We’re very pleased our research has been chosen for funding and that we’ll be able to continue our work into the fundamental biology of pancreatic cancer.
“This is an extremely promising area of investigation and if we’re successful could lead to new options to improve outcomes for people with pancreatic cancer”.
So far this year the charity has awarded more than £500,000 to seven pancreatic cancer researchers based in institutions throughout the UK.
What is the pancreas?
- The pancreas is a large gland that lies behind the stomach at the back of the abdomen.
- It is around 15cm (6 inches) long and shaped similarly to a tadpole.
- It makes enzymes which help to break down food known as exocrine cells.
- It also makes hormones known as endocrine cells which control the level of sugar in the blood.
The announcement coincides with Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, a national campaign which runs throughout the month of November, which will see people in Nottingham coming together to spread the word about the disease.
Charity chief executive Alex Ford said: “Pancreatic cancer is a tough disease, which historically has been side lined in terms of crucial research funding.
“We’re so proud to be leading the way in tackling this by investing in world-leading research at the cutting edge of science.
“We’re extremely excited to be working with Dr Hatziapostolou and her team, and we are confident that this project has the potential to make an important contribution to our quest to take on pancreatic cancer together.”
More information about the awareness campaign and Research Innovation Fund can be found on the Pancreatic Cancer UK website.
