New research conducted by the National Cancer Institute shows that people consuming high-fat diet are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, especially if their dietary fat comes from animal foods, such as meat and dairy products. The new study included more than half a million U.S. adults and none of them had pancreatic cancer at the time of the start of the study. Participants were followed for six years, on average, during which 865 of the men and 472 of the women were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted orphan drug designation to Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s RTA 402 for treating patients suffering from pancreatic cancer. Currently in Phase 1/2 of its trial, RTA 402 receives economic incentive for further development in the form of reduction/exemption in regulatory fees, seven years of exclusivity in market and other support from FDA for R&D initiatives.

Researchers at University of Rochester Medical Center have found that an antioxidant that occurs naturally in wine may reach and destroy mitochondria, thereby destroying the pancreatic cancer cells. The researchers further say that the link between the mitochondria and antioxidant is significant, since mitochondria has its own DNA and is the core power supplier for the cells.