Abstract B112: Targeting Pancreatic Cancer Through Immune Activation and Lifestyle Modification

Abstract Purpose: Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal malignancies, with limited therapeutic success due to late diagnosis and resistance to treatment. This study aims to evaluate the impact of integrative lifestyle modifications—targeting nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and immune system support—on disease progression and symptom management in patients with pancreatic cancer. Methods: This ongoing mixed-methods study incorporates clinical observation and community-based interventions. Participants (n=34) were recruited through oncology clinics in rural and urban underserved settings. Interventions included personalized nutrition plans high in plant-based, anti-inflammatory foods; physical activity regimens; mindfulness-based stress reduction; and psychosocial support. Social determinants of health (SDOH)—including access to food, transportation, income, and community support—were addressed through partnerships with social workers and community health workers. Biomarkers of immune function (e.g., cytokine profiles, T-cell activity) and symptom severity were monitored biweekly over a 12-week period. A control group (n=28) received standard oncological care without lifestyle intervention. Results: Preliminary data demonstrate that participants who adhered to the lifestyle modification protocol showed marked improvements in fatigue, appetite, gastrointestinal discomfort, and pain intensity. Notably, 65% of the intervention group reported improved quality of life scores on the EORTC QLQ-C30, and 40% demonstrated increased CD8+ T-cell activity—suggesting a potential link between immune modulation and symptom improvement. No adverse effects were associated with the lifestyle interventions. Additionally, participants with greater reductions in SDOH-related stressors demonstrated more favorable clinical responses. Conclusions: These early findings suggest that structured lifestyle changes, when combined with standard care and tailored to address patients' social determinants of health, may positively influence the clinical trajectory and quality of life in individuals with pancreatic cancer. Future research should explore long-term immune outcomes, tumor progression markers, and scalable intervention models for diverse populations. Citation Format: Aariyana R. Britton. Targeting Pancreatic Cancer Through Immune Activation and Lifestyle Modification [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2025 Oct 22-26; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2025;24(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B112.