Posters
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Community/Public Health
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer in United States with a 5-to-7-year relative survival rate. This can be attributed to the late onset of symptoms and diagnosis of the disease, which makes it unmanageable at its later stage. Ethnic differences in pancreatic cancer incidence have been reported, especially regarding higher incidence in African Americans. African Americans are more likely than Asian, Hispanic, or whites’ people to develop pancreatic cancer. They have highest incidence rate between 28% and 59% higher than other racial groups. The mortality rate for Blacks is 13.3 per 100,000 people, while for Whites it is 11.0 per 100,000. Incidence of pancreatic cancer and increased smoking and alcohol consumption among African Americans indicates lifestyle risk rather than genetics. The purpose of this study is to identify underlying mechanisms that may contribute to this racial disparity. Herein, we have demonstrated that cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption are associated with pancreatic cancer and poor patient survival. Our results demonstrate that smoking and drinking alters tumor microenvironment and enhances bidirectional tumor-stromal cells interaction between sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway and an oncogenic CXCR4/CXCL12 signaling axis. Our results particularly signify an aberrant overexpression of a mucin, MUC13 in the nuclear compartment of cells from the patient tissues who smoke or drink. Also, this study analyzes the association of MUC13 with effects due to smoking and alcohol consumption. This study is significant in understanding potential risk factors in pancreatic cancer. Smoking and excess drinking cessation programs can help prevent pancreatic cancer.
Academic/Professional Position
Graduate Student
Mentor/PI Department
Immunology and Microbiology
Recommended Citation
Shaji, Poornima Devi; Martinez Bulnes, Ana; Diego, Vincent P.; Chauhan, Subhash C.; and Khan, Sheema, "Unraveling the Mechanisms by Which Smoking and Alcohol Alter Pancreatic Cancer Pathogenesis" (2023). Research Symposium. 105.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/theme1/posters/105
Included in
Unraveling the Mechanisms by Which Smoking and Alcohol Alter Pancreatic Cancer Pathogenesis
Pancreatic cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer in United States with a 5-to-7-year relative survival rate. This can be attributed to the late onset of symptoms and diagnosis of the disease, which makes it unmanageable at its later stage. Ethnic differences in pancreatic cancer incidence have been reported, especially regarding higher incidence in African Americans. African Americans are more likely than Asian, Hispanic, or whites’ people to develop pancreatic cancer. They have highest incidence rate between 28% and 59% higher than other racial groups. The mortality rate for Blacks is 13.3 per 100,000 people, while for Whites it is 11.0 per 100,000. Incidence of pancreatic cancer and increased smoking and alcohol consumption among African Americans indicates lifestyle risk rather than genetics. The purpose of this study is to identify underlying mechanisms that may contribute to this racial disparity. Herein, we have demonstrated that cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption are associated with pancreatic cancer and poor patient survival. Our results demonstrate that smoking and drinking alters tumor microenvironment and enhances bidirectional tumor-stromal cells interaction between sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway and an oncogenic CXCR4/CXCL12 signaling axis. Our results particularly signify an aberrant overexpression of a mucin, MUC13 in the nuclear compartment of cells from the patient tissues who smoke or drink. Also, this study analyzes the association of MUC13 with effects due to smoking and alcohol consumption. This study is significant in understanding potential risk factors in pancreatic cancer. Smoking and excess drinking cessation programs can help prevent pancreatic cancer.