Example 1. Pancreatic Cancer (PSHCI, Pending)

Although pancreatic cancer is a relatively uncommon tumor, the mortality rate is very high, making it the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Epidemiological and laboratory studies confirm that both the dietary fat content and the type of fat play a significant role in the risk for various cancers including that of the pancreas. Inflammation is a key contributor and all types of chronic pancreatitis have been linked to the subsequent development of tumors in this tissue. The primary hypothesis tested in the present proposal is the PPARbeta/delta ligand GW501516 will inhibit the development of pancreatic ductal cell adenomacarcinoma (PDA) by decreasing progression of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanINs). Support for these studies comes from extensive preliminary data presented herein as well as recent research performed by the investigators.