NEW ORLEANS, May 19 (UPI) -- Researchers at the University of Michigan's Comprehensive Cancer Center say they have found a protein that can tell pancreatic cancer from normal tissue.
The researchers say the method is better than the current "gold standard" blood test that is used nationwide.
The scientists said protein, called CEACAM 1, can be used to detect early signs of cancer, especially in those who are at the highest risk for the disease.
Earlier, the researchers reported findings about the basic cellular processes that allow pancreatic cancer to develop.
The discovery of "crosstalk" between two cell-signaling pathways involved in the disease may yield clues as to why pancreatic tumors develop, and perhaps one day lead to innovative ways to stop them, they said.
"We're definitely getting closer to the kinds of innovation that will be needed to increase patients' odds of finding and surviving pancreatic cancer," said Diane Simeone, who co-leads the U-M effort to translate genetic research into clinically useful tests.
The findings were announced Wednesday at the Digestive Diseases Meeting week in New Orleans.
