Smoking could significantly raise the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest cancers in the world, according to new research. The study highlights how toxins in cigarettes alter immune responses, accelerating tumour growth and making the disease harder to treat.
Pancreatic cancer, often called a “silent killer” due to vague early symptoms, is responsible for over 10,000 deaths annually — roughly one every hour. By 2040, cases are projected to surge to 201,000 worldwide, with survival rates remaining devastatingly low because most patients are diagnosed at advanced stages.
In findings published in Cancer Discovery, researchers at the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Centre identified a specific link between cigarette toxins and immune system disruption. They focused on Interleukin 22 (IL22), a protein previously associated with tumour development, and discovered that smoking-induced toxins dramatically altered its role in cancer progression.
Lead author Professor Timothy Frankel, a surgical oncologist, explained that the toxins prompt T-regulatory cells (Tregs) — immune cells usually responsible for controlling inflammation — to fuel cancer in two ways: by producing IL22 and by suppressing the body’s natural tumour-fighting ability. “It was a two-pronged attack,” he said.
Read Also: Hjulmand Named Leverkusen Boss After Ten Hag’s Short Spell
In mouse models, the presence of these toxins caused tumours to grow faster and spread aggressively. But when Treg cells were removed, tumour growth was halted. The effect was also confirmed in human pancreatic cancer cells, particularly in smokers, where elevated Treg and IL22 activity was evident.
Promisingly, the team also found that inhibitors blocking the cigarette-derived toxin reduced tumour size. This suggests a potential new therapeutic pathway, especially when combined with immunotherapies that currently perform poorly against pancreatic cancer due to its immunosuppressive environment.
Professor Frankel emphasized the need for closer screening of smokers, saying: “There is not a great screening mechanism, but people who smoke should be educated about symptoms to look out for and consider referrals to a high-risk clinic.”
If caught early, nearly 50% of pancreatic cancer patients survive at least a year. However, once the disease spreads beyond the pancreas, survival drops to just 10% — underscoring the urgency of prevention and early detection strategies.