Shanghai hospital finds genetic link to cancer

Scientists from the Shanghai No. 10 People's Hospital have determined that a certain type of pancreatic cancer is caused by the mutation of a gene.

The discovery is a world first and was featured on the Nature Medicine website.

Lu Yanjun and her team found that all samples of adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas, a type of pancreatic cancer, had a mutation on gene UPF1 and found the mutation played an important role in the cancer's formation and development.

"This cancer was first reported 100 years ago, but it has always been a mystery," Lu said.

"Knowing the mutation of UPF1 will offer a quick diagnosis measure and target for future medication."

Pancreatic cancer is on the increase in Shanghai, with its incidence growing 1.5 times in the past 20 years.

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect in its early stages when most patients have no symptoms. When the cancer is diagnosed in the later stages, fewer than 10 percent of sufferers survive more than five years.