New Strategy Targets Pancreatic Cancer Early

Preclinical study shows eliminating precancerous cells can nearly double survival in mouse models

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:07am

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A new preclinical study in mice shows that precancerous cells in the pancreas can be eliminated before they have the chance to become tumors. Using an experimental therapy to target microscopic precancerous lesions in the pancreas nearly doubled survival in mouse models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) compared to the same treatment given after cancer developed.

Why it matters

Pancreatic cancer has a stubbornly poor prognosis, limited treatment options and no proven screening or prevention strategies. If researchers can find a way to intercept it—to identify and neutralize abnormalities on their earliest steps toward malignancy—it would be a game-changer for this deadly disease.

The details

The research team used two experimental inhibitors that target the cancer-causing gene, KRAS. More than 90 percent of pancreatic cancers are driven by KRAS mutations. The team assessed two compounds that are designed to inhibit RAS when it is in an active or ON state and driving cancer growth. They found that treating mice with these compounds after PanIN development, but before tumor development, resulted in a reduction of precancerous lesions and slower tumor growth, as well as increased survival compared to untreated mice.

  • The research was published on March 13, 2026.

The players

Robert Vonderheide

The director of the Abramson Cancer Center and co-corresponding author of the study.

Minh Than

The lead author of the study, a clinical and research fellow in Hematology-Oncology.

Ben Stanger

The Hanna Wise Professor in Cancer Research and director of the Penn Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, and co-corresponding author of the study.

Revolution Medicines

The company whose scientists contributed to the study and discovered the two experimental compounds used in the research.

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What they’re saying

“I'm convinced that cancer interception will become the next frontier of cancer therapy. Pancreatic cancer has a stubbornly poor prognosis, limited treatment options and no proven screening or prevention strategies. If we can find a way to intercept it—to identify and neutralize abnormalities on their earliest steps toward malignancy—it would be a game-changer.”

— Robert Vonderheide, Director of the Abramson Cancer Center (Mirage News)

“This study provides a preclinical proof-of-concept that medical cancer interception works better than treatment after a diagnosis. This study shows us the power of being proactive, rather than reactive, when it comes to cancer. It will be exciting to evaluate this in our patients in the next phase of this work.”

— Minh Than, Lead author, clinical and research fellow in Hematology-Oncology (Mirage News)

“The direct comparison in this study puts PanINs on the map as potential targets for cancer interception and opens the door for exploring KRAS inhibitors in a new setting. However, because PanINs cannot be seen on imaging exams, and we are talking about treating individuals who do not have a cancer diagnosis, we have to think carefully about how to apply this preclinical research to the right population for human studies.”

— Ben Stanger, Hanna Wise Professor in Cancer Research and director of the Penn Pancreatic Cancer Research Center (Mirage News)

What’s next

The team aims to translate the research into a clinical trial focused on high-risk patients who are already being monitored for pancreatic cysts, larger growths than PanINs, that still have a low risk for cancer but are typically surgically removed if they grow to a certain size.

The takeaway

This study provides promising preclinical evidence that targeting precancerous lesions in the pancreas before they develop into full-blown cancer could significantly improve outcomes for patients at high risk of pancreatic cancer. While the approach will require careful consideration of how to apply it in the clinic, it represents an exciting new frontier in the fight against this deadly disease.