Just 5% of Pancreatic Cancer Cells Can Shield an Entire Tumor From Immune Attack

Researchers at Mount Sinai found that rare pancreatic cancer cells producing PAI1 and PAI2 stabilize fibrin around themselves, creating protected niches that also shelter neighboring tumor cells. Deleting these genes in mice cut tumor burden by more than half and nearly doubled median survival on anti-PD-1 therapy, from 24 to 47 days.

• 5% of PAI1-producing cells are enough to suppress immunity around a tumor
• Deleting PAI1 or PAI2 in mice cut tumor burden by more than half
• Combining with anti-PD-1 raised median survival from 24 to 47 days
• PAI-039 inhibitor plus anti-PD-1 extended survival in two cancer models