Genetic Testing And Diabetes Key To Pancreatic Cancer Risk

Efforts to better assess the risk of pancreatic cancer are rapidly advancing, particularly in the areas of genetics and metabolism, according to Dr. Brian Wolpin of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Wolpin, a leading expert in gastrointestinal cancers, spoke with CancerNetwork® following his presentation at the 15th Annual Ruesch Center Symposium.

One of the most important developments in recent years is the recommendation that all patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer undergo genetic testing. This can identify inherited mutations—such as BRCA1 and BRCA2—that not only influence a patient’s treatment plan but also signal a higher cancer risk for their family members.

“Testing helps us find genetic mutations that might run in families,” said Dr. Wolpin. “If we identify those genes, we can screen relatives and possibly detect cancer earlier—or even prevent it.”

A major focus of current research is how to stop pancreatic cancer before it starts, especially in patients with known genetic risks. This field, known as “interception,” aims to develop methods that prevent tumors from forming, rather than just detecting them early.

Another important area of research is the link between metabolism and cancer risk. Dr. Wolpin noted that patients who are newly diagnosed with diabetes face a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer soon after. Scientists are now exploring how this connection could be used to catch pancreatic cancer earlier or prevent it entirely.

“There’s a lot of effort going into understanding how diabetes and metabolism play into cancer development,” he explained. “We’re trying to figure out how to apply that knowledge in real clinical settings.”

As research continues, both genetic testing and metabolic screening are emerging as vital tools in the early detection and prevention of one of the deadliest forms of cancer.