What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to understand how intrapancreatic adipocytes contribute to pancreatic cancer progression and their impact on tumor immunity.

April 19, 2026

Abstract LB231: Intra-pancreatic adipocytes promote pancreatic cancer progression by inhibiting tumor immunity

Key Points

This research aims to understand how intrapancreatic adipocytes contribute to pancreatic cancer progression and their impact on tumor immunity.
MRI imaging analysis on pancreatic cancer patients
H&E staining of histological sections
Adipoq-Cre lineage tracing mouse model
Single-cell nuclear transcriptome sequencing of adipocytes
Experimental validation of IGFBP2 role in adipocyte browning
Intra-pancreatic fat fraction significantly increased in pancreatic cancer patients compared to controls.
Adipocytes in pancreatic cancer originate from neogenesis and trans-differentiation rather than proliferation.
Browning of infiltrating adipocytes created an immunosuppressive environment that promotes tumor progression.
IGFBP2 was found to be crucial for inducing adipocyte browning.
Combination of IGFBP2 targeting and anti-PD1 therapy effectively reduced cancer progression.

Abstract

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Fatty pancreas diseases (FPD) is the most common disease of the pancreas. It is reported that FPD might be an early specific harbinger of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal malignant tumor, and surgical resection remains the only possible curative treatment. The efficacy of other treatment modalities including immunotherapy is limited, making it urgent to explore novel therapeutic targets. Pancreatic cancer is characterized by a unique tumor microenvironment, where infiltrated adipocytes are closely associated with tumor progression. Albeit, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. RATIONALE: This study aims to demonstrate why adipocyte prefer to deposit in pancreatic cancer tissue and how it contribute to the progression of pancreatic cancer. RESULTS: Using MRI imaging analysis (n=120) and H Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts) ; 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86 (8Suppl): Abstract nr LB231.

Abstract LB231: Intra-pancreatic adipocytes promote pancreatic cancer progression by inhibiting tumor immunity

Key Points

Abstract

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