A Queensland researcher says a medical breakthrough in the study of pancreatic cancer could hold the key to more effective treatments

New research identified and mapped the genetic changes that drive the formation of the cancer's variations.

According to reports, researchers have been examining the DNA of pancreatic cancer tumors, and they now believe they've figured out what makes it "tick."

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Researchers are confident they can classify their discovery into four types, and that 15 percent of one of these types will then be helped with a particular drug. This drug has previously assisted and treated sufferers of testicular and ovarian cancer.

In earlier tests, scientists reacted euphorically to the results they've been witnessing, and it's agreed they never actually expected to see people respond to trials so positively "in their lifetimes."

Dr. Nicola Waddell from the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute said the discovery would allow practitioners to target the subtypes individually.

"Pancreatic cancer -- the therapies and the ways patients are managed -- haven't really improved in the last few decades. This really is one of the first studies that will hopefully help improve the outcome for some patients of this particular subtype of pancreatic cancer," she added.

The discovery would be able to determine which chemotherapy drug a patient should get based on their cancer's genome.

Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest cancer with just one percent of people who suffer from the affliction remaining alive 10 years after a diagnosis. In fact, only three percent live for just five years, which is way below the 54 percent of all other cancer patients.

These findings appeared online in the journal, Oncotarget.

Tagspancreatic cancer, pancreas, Cancer, chemo drug