New Delhi, Jan. 29 -- A research group in Spain has reported a major breakthrough in the fight against pancreatic cancer, announcing a treatment that completely erased the most aggressive form of the disease in laboratory mice. The findings have reignited optimism around a cancer long considered nearly impossible to treat.

The study was led by Mariano Barbacid at Spain's Spanish National Cancer Research Centre and represents the outcome of nearly six years of intensive work. Researchers found that a newly developed three-drug combination eliminated pancreatic tumours entirely, with no signs of the cancer returning after treatment ended.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the deadliest cancers due to its late detection, dense tum...