Heather Schofield, M.D./Ph.D. Graduate Student, Department of Surgery (Pasca di Magliano Laboratory), University of Michigan Medical School

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with a five-year-survival rate of only 8%. Modeling pancreatic cancer in mice provides an important way to understand the biology of this deadly disease and to test future treatment options. Pancreatic tumors in mice can grow quickly and invade into nearby tissues, such as the intestine. This local invasion can result in intestinal blockages and buildup of food and mucus. Pictured here is an image highlighting the mucus buildup in the intestine of a mouse with an invasive pancreatic tumor. Mouse models provide an important tool to help us understand pancreatic tumor biology and determine the feasibility of future therapeutic options.  

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