The Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer in the U.S. Military

Abstract

Abstract : Military personnel are at a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer, which is the most lethal common malignancy. Accordingly, our proposed work will first address the focus areas concerning the susceptibility of military personnel to pancreatic cancer following occupational exposure to chemical carcinogens and the recreational use of tobacco products. We hypothesize that carcinogens present in diesel fuel exhaust and cigarette smoke contribute to the higher rates of pancreatic cancer in military personnel. This heightened risk is due in part to the elevated exposure to carcinogens present in diesel engine exhaust and cigarette smoke, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals. Understanding the susceptibility of military personnel to pancreatic carcinogenesis in tractable model systems will directly lead to the discovery of new biomarkers of pancreatic cancer such that early detection strategies can be developed. Therefore, we will also focus on discovery of biomarkers for carcinogen-induced pancreatic cancer. Along these lines, we aim to first examine the contribution of carcinogens to pancreatic tumorigenesis at levels that model the chronic exposure seen by military personnel. To accomplish this task, we developed a novel, three-dimensional culture systems and defined its engraftment and growth kinetics in a transplantation model. Furthermore, we identified biomarkers of early stage pancreatic cancer and are currently testing whether they will facilitate early detection in at risk populations, such as military personnel and their families.