A new paper provides evidence of how PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” correspond to epigenetic changes that can lead to cancers, neurological disorders and autoimmune conditions.

A new class of PRMT5 inhibitors, designed to exploit a genetic vulnerability in aggressive tumors, works even better when paired with MAPK pathway drugs—wiping out hard-to-treat lung, brain, and pancreatic cancers in preclinical models, according to Virginia Tech scientists.

Cancer cells interact with their neighborhood — which scientists term the tumor microenvironment — in many ways, including obtaining extra resources needed to fuel their unchecked growth. Like a fishing trawler deploying its net, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells reform their cell surfaces to grab additional nutrients from the jelly-like substance between cells called the extracellular matrix.

This cellular scavenging process — known as macropinocytosis — affects the area surrounding the tumor, making the connective tissue stiffer and preventing immune cells from reaching the tumor.