Obesity-induced IGF-1 Coordinately Upregulates COX-2 and Downregulates Tumor Suppressive PGDH Resulting in Enhanced Pancreatic Cancer Growth (2010)

Title:

Obesity-induced IGF-1 Coordinately Upregulates COX-2 and Downregulates Tumor Suppressive PGDH Resulting in Enhanced Pancreatic Cancer Growth

Key words:

Obesity, pancreatic cancer, inflammation, COX-2, PGDH, prostaglandin, IGF-1

Research Institution:

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Location:

Texas

Researcher:

Susan Fischer

Project Description:

This study is examining the hypothesis that the increased levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) caused by obesity alter the levels of several hormones and growth factors. The substances then lead to chronic inflammation, which may contribute to pancreatic cancer development. The study will treat specialized pancreatic cancer cells with IGF-1 and examine the levels of several substances in the pancreas of lean, overweight and obese mice and in mice that lack circulating IGF-1.