New insights into pancreatic cancer uncover critical molecular and microbial factors influencing disease progression. Salk Institute and University of California San Diego researchers identified the sugar molecule HSAT, abundant on pancreatic cells, as a suppressor of tumor development and metastasis. Oral microbiome studies from NYU Langone and JAMA Oncology link specific bacteria and fungi, including Candida species, to a 3.5-fold increased pancreatic cancer risk, providing potential biomarkers for early detection. Indiana University identified dual protein targets whose simultaneous inhibition undermines pancreatic cancer defenses, offering novel avenues for therapy in this typically lethal cancer.