Pancreatic cancer, particularly pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), is one of the most dreaded cancers, with an average survival rate of just 8-10 months after diagnosis. Faced with this major medical challenge, the European COMBAT-PDAC project is mobilizing leading researchers with a clear objective: to understand the biological complexity of this cancer in order to develop personalized, more effective treatments.

A European consortium for innovation

With nearly two million euros in funding from the European Partnership for Personalized Medicine (EP PerMed), and the support of the French National Research Agency (ANR), COMBAT-PDAC brings together experts from prestigious institutions such as the Paul Langerhans Institute in Dresden, the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, and the Marseille Cancer Research Center (CRCM).

Led by Dr. Nelson Dusetti, the CRCM team plays a key role thanks to its pancreatic organoid models, which enable the efficacy of new therapies to be rapidly tested. “These patient-derived models help us to better understand the wide diversity of responses to treatment observed in the clinic,” explains Dr. Dusetti.

Towards targeted and personalized treatments

The heterogeneity of pancreatic tumors complicates their treatment, as each tumor contains several distinct cell populations capable of resisting current therapies. One of the main aims of the project is therefore to identify predictive biomarkers to tailor treatments to individual patients.

By combining cutting-edge technologies such as in-depth genetic analysis, modified antibodies and CAR-T cells, the consortium aims to precisely target these heterogeneous populations, paving the way for more effective treatments and limiting the risk of recurrence.

New hope for patients

By combining basic research with clinical applications, COMBAT-PDAC is giving new hope to patients suffering from this dreaded cancer. “Thanks to our international collaboration, we hope to provide innovative tools to better treat pancreatic cancer, while developing personalized therapeutic solutions,” concludes Dr. Dusetti.

This ambitious project could mark a decisive step forward in the fight against this disease, offering each patient a treatment tailored to the unique complexity of his or her tumor.