Pancreatic Cancer’s Stealthy Spread: Can Lidocaine Be the Unlikely Hero?
The pancreas, a vital organ nestled behind the stomach, is under attack by a formidable foe: pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This aggressive cancer, often undetected until it’s too late, is the third-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., with a grim survival rate beyond five years. But here’s where it gets controversial—a common local anesthetic, lidocaine, might just be the secret weapon against PDAC’s deadly spread.
A dedicated team at the University of Illinois Chicago is exploring a groundbreaking idea: lidocaine’s potential to tame pancreatic cancer cells’ escape during surgery. Led by Dr. Gina Votta-Velis, the study focuses on capturing these rogue cells, which often break away from the tumor and travel through the bloodstream, leading to metastasis. But how does lidocaine fit into this complex puzzle?
‘Lidocaine, a trusted pain reliever for decades, could be the key to slowing down metastasis,’ Dr. Votta-Velis suggests. This bold claim is based on preliminary studies showing lidocaine’s ability to trap cancer cells in the bloodstream, preventing them from forming new tumors. And this is the part most people miss—the team has developed a tiny device, a microfluidic marvel, to isolate these rare circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood samples.
Ian Papautsky, a biomedical engineering expert, designed the device, which uses microfluidics to separate CTCs based on size and softness. This liquid biopsy technique has proven highly accurate, isolating CTCs without harm. In comparison to a commercial magnetic separation tool, the microfluidic device recovered eight times more cancer cells and worked faster, a crucial advantage for early detection.
The implications are profound. Dr. Pier Giulianotti, a renowned pancreatic cancer surgeon, emphasizes the significance of this discovery. ‘Understanding how to control cancer cells in the bloodstream is a giant leap in cancer research,’ he states. This research opens doors to personalized medicine, offering hope for better outcomes in the battle against PDAC.
As the study progresses, the team’s innovative approach sparks curiosity and debate. Could lidocaine, a familiar anesthetic, truly transform pancreatic cancer treatment? What other secrets might our existing medical tools hold? Share your thoughts and join the discussion on this exciting medical frontier.