Scientists Identify Key Proteins to Disrupt Pancreatic Cancer‘s Protective Shield
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – September 25, 2025 – Researchers at Indiana University have pinpointed two proteins, Ref-1 and PRDX1, that play a critical role in both the survival of pancreatic cancer cells and the protective barrier they build around themselves, offering a potential new strategy to overcome treatment resistance in one of the deadliest cancers. The discovery, published this month, suggests a “super coalition” of biochemical processes supporting tumor growth can be disrupted by together targeting these proteins.
Pancreatic cancer is notoriously challenging to treat, often diagnosed at late stages and exhibiting rapid resistance to existing therapies. This research offers a promising avenue for developing more effective treatments, not only for pancreatic cancer but perhaps for othre aggressive tumors that utilize similar protective mechanisms. The findings focus on the tumor microenvironment – the area surrounding the cancer – and how Ref-1 and PRDX1 contribute to its resilience.
The study revealed that Ref-1 and PRDX1 don’t just shield the tumor itself; they actively maintain the physical and chemical defenses – including cancer-associated fibroblasts – that make the tumor undetectable and resistant to attack. By inhibiting both proteins, researchers observed a collapse of this protective infrastructure, leaving the cancer vulnerable.
Early testing in mice using the experimental drug APX2014 showed encouraging results, and a related compound, APX3330, is already undergoing clinical trials in humans. While challenges remain in translating these findings to human patients – including drug delivery and accounting for variations in tumor microenvironments - the dual-pronged approach of targeting both the cancer cells and their protective shield represents a potentially revolutionary shift in cancer treatment.
