Glucose Control Improves Survival in Pancreatic Cancer Patients with Low CA19-9 Levels

Researchers examined pancreatic cancer patients with long-term survival and found that a subgroup with normal levels of the biomarker CA19-9 had a significantly higher overall survival rate and 5-year survival compared to patients with high CA19-9 levels. This subgroup also had lower levels of circulating glucose and increased insulin expression. Glucose control was shown to decrease CA19-9 levels and improve overall survival in animal models and a clinical trial. The study suggests that glucose control could be a promising therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer.