# Pancreatic cancer tumors differ between Black and other US patients, Cancer Research study finds

- Published: 2026-11-14 21:46 UTC
- Section: Life & Health › Medicine
- Tags: pancreatic cancer, tumor molecular profile, gene activity, B lymphocytes, immunosuppression, RAS inhibitors, targeted therapy, University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, treatment resistance
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-db1b8fe9eb14581036c177d5_pancreatic_cancer_tumors/

**Teams from Cincinnati and Henry Ford Health found differences in gene activity and B cells in pancreatic tumors across patient groups; the link to outcomes is unconfirmed.**

![Pancreatic cancer tumors differ between Black and other US patients, Cancer Research study finds](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/2390dc6d4588db21.avif)
*portal.abczdrowie.pl*

Researchers from the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center and Henry Ford Health reported molecular and immune differences in pancreatic tumors from patients in different population groups in the United States, according to portal.abczdrowie.pl. The results were published in Cancer Research [1]. The team analysed tumor samples and compared Black Americans with the other patients studied.

## What differed in the tumors

In the US, pancreatic cancer occurs about 20% more often in Black Americans. Until now it was unclear how far differences in disease course stem from the biology of the tumor itself [1]. Using advanced molecular analysis, the researchers examined thousands of biological markers. Cancer cells in the two groups showed different patterns of gene activity and of RNA and protein production [1]. These mechanisms can influence tumor growth and its susceptibility to treatment.

In samples from Black patients, the authors detected increased activity of markers characteristic of cells linked to treatment resistance [1]. According to the study lead, Dr. Nina Steele, such differences may matter for the effectiveness of targeted therapies, including RAS inhibitors, which act on the mechanisms driving tumor growth.

## Immune cells and open questions

The immune response also differed. Tumors of Black patients contained more B lymphocytes, but these cells more often showed immunosuppressive properties, meaning they weaken the body's immune response [1]. This may indicate that some B cells help cancer cells evade immune control instead of helping to fight them.

The researchers suspect that both mechanisms may partly explain differences in patient prognosis. They stress, however, that further studies are needed to confirm the effect on disease course and treatment efficacy.

The authors hope that a closer understanding of tumor biology will allow therapies to be matched to individual patients. They also say further analyses may lead to new subtypes of pancreatic cancer being defined, as happened with breast and prostate cancer. Instead of basing decisions only on disease stage, physicians could then take specific molecular features of the tumor into account.

The finding does not change treatment standards. It shows that pancreatic cancer is more biologically diverse than has been documented so far.

## Sources

1. [portal.abczdrowie.pl](https://portal.abczdrowie.pl/rak-trzustki-nie-u-wszystkich-jest-taki-sam-nowe-odkrycie-naukowcow/7350563312224256a)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-db1b8fe9eb14581036c177d5_pancreatic_cancer_tumors/