JERUSALEM, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Pancreatic cancer may begin evading the body's immune system far earlier than previously thought, according to a study released Friday.
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that precancerous cells in the pancreas do not spread randomly. Instead, they organize into small clusters, or "neighborhoods," that communicate with nearby immune cells to weaken the body's natural defenses.
The study, published in the journal Gastroenterology, suggests these early cells send out signals to "calm" the immune system, allowing abnormal growth to go unnoticed.
To reach these findings, scientists used advanced mapping tools to analyze thousands of individual cells while tracking their exact positions within the tissue. They discovered that these "immune-suppressing" signals -- messages that tell the body not to attack -- appear even in the earliest stages of the disease.
The researchers found that abnormal cells consistently positioned themselves near specific types of white blood cells, known as neutrophils and macrophages. While these cells usually fight disease, the study shows they are essentially neutralized by the precancerous clusters.
Because these interactions are structured and predictable rather than random, the researchers said they now have a clearer map of how pancreatic lesions develop over time.
They hope the discovery will help doctors identify high-risk tissue sooner. The goal is to eventually design treatments that can stop the cancer before it fully develops, potentially saving lives through earlier intervention. ■
