Promising Leap Forward in Research on PSC and Bile Duct Cancer
Promising Leap Forward in Research on PSC and Bile Duct Cancer
Dr Edward Jarman
We are pleased to share an important update from the research project, 'Cell states in the transition from PSC to bile duct cancer,' led by Dr Edward Jarman. This study, which we proudly fund, focuses on a critical area: understanding the changes that occur when PSC progresses to cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a type of bile duct cancer.
The team has been using advanced laboratory modelling to observe this complex process. Through this, they have successfully identified a distinct 'signature' (a pattern of cell changes) that happens during the transition.
A key finding is the identification of a protein called COX2 as a potential marker of this process. In a significant step, Dr Jarman has shown that a subset of PSC patients have cells that are positive for COX2 in their bile ducts. This finding is crucial because it means that what the scientists are seeing in the lab matches what is actually happening inside the bodies of people with PSC.
Dr Jarman notes that this represents an ‘appreciable leap forward’ for the project’s goal to define the mechanisms of PSC-CCA transition and determine whether these early changes are detectable in PSC patients.
This work is an exciting step forward. By defining these mechanisms and identifying markers like COX2, this research may eventually help us to detect early changes in people with PSC who could be at higher risk. This is vital for accelerating the development of new ways to screen, prevent, or treat the progression to CCA.
Turning Ambition into Action in 2026:
Our Fortnight in Focus
At PSC Support, we want a world without PSC. We work tirelessly behind the scenes to drive research and improve lives. Here is a snapshot of what we've been up to:
Building Partnerships: We led an international discussion on removing barriers that delay research, ensuring that drug development is built around the practical realities of living with PSC.
Building Partnerships: We joined an AMMF webinar to share specialist transplant knowledge with healthcare professionals to help ensure that clinicians are aware of evolving care options and can better support patients facing transplant and CCA.
Building Partnerships: We presented the latest the PSC Working Group's achievements at the European Reference Network meeting of liver experts to drive collaboration and improve clinical standards worldwide.
Empowering our Community: We signed an international declaration advocating for rare disease research to be a priority in health policy, ensuring long-term funding for PSC.
Improving Care: We initiated collaborations with clinical experts to streamline specialist referral pathways, ensuring patients get the right care at the right time.
Organisational Excellence: We refined our strategic objectives to ensure every penny donated is focused on the most impactful work for our community.
Organisational Excellence: We met with our Board of Trustees to report on work so far this year to ensure the charity continues to meet the highest standards of governance and ensure we are delivering the maximum benefit for people with PSC.
Progressing Research: There are now 55 volunteers in our Patient Panel! The ensures that a diverse range of lived experiences directly shapes future PSC research and care.
Progressing Research: We reviewed research summaries for a pharmaceutical partner to ensure that study results are communicated clearly and transparently to our community.
Progressing Research: We provided patient leadership on a major new steering committee to ensure research into liver complications remains grounded in patient needs.
Progressing Research: The UK PSC Care Guidelines are going to be updated! We joined the national steering committee to update them, ensuring the "rulebook" for how doctors treat PSC is co-written by the patients who live with it.