Baghdad: An international scientific team from the University of Cambridge, led by Iraqi researcher Muntadhar Jihad, has achieved a significant medical and research breakthrough by publishing an advanced study on pancreatic cancer in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Cell Biology.

According to Iraqi News Agency, the study, spearheaded by the Iraqi researcher specializing in bioinformatics, cancer genomics, and genetic diseases at the University of Cambridge, in collaboration with researcher Wenlong Li and an international team, investigated the diversity and dynamics of cellular communication between cancer epithelial cells and fibroblasts within the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer. This was compared to the environment associated with chronic pancreatitis.

The team developed three-dimensional (ex vivo) laboratory models using co-culture technology for pancreatic organoids and various tissues. The results were then integrated with clinical data from patients and genetically modified mouse
models. This integration enabled the identification of new cellular pathways and biomarkers, contributing to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of the disease and the development of methods for its diagnosis and treatment.

The research revealed that the environment surrounding pancreatic tumors is not merely an advanced inflammatory state but rather a unique environment with its own structure and cell communication mechanisms. It exhibited varying responses of fibroblasts to biological signals from infected cells.

Publication in the journal Nature Cell Biology, part of the Nature group, underscores the scientific value of this research, highlighting its adherence to rigorous peer-review standards. It also represents a significant contribution by Iraqi experts to the global academic community.