Exploiting inflammation for therapeutic gain in pancreatic cancer

Br J Cancer. 2013 Mar 19;108(5):997-1003. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2013.24. Epub 2013 Feb 5.

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy associated with <5% 5-year survival, in which standard chemotherapeutics have limited benefit. The disease is associated with significant intra- and peritumoral inflammation and failure of protective immunosurveillance. Indeed, inflammatory signals are implicated in both tumour initiation and tumour progression. The major pathways regulating PDAC-associated inflammation are now being explored. Activation of leukocytes, and upregulation of cytokine and chemokine signalling pathways, both have been shown to modulate PDAC progression. Therefore, targeting inflammatory pathways may be of benefit as part of a multi-target approach to PDAC therapy. This review explores the pathways known to modulate inflammation at different stages of tumour development, drawing conclusions on their potential as therapeutic targets in PDAC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / immunology*
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / therapy*
  • Chemokines / metabolism
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Surveillance*
  • Inflammation / therapy*
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Prognosis
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tumor Escape
  • Tumor Microenvironment / immunology

Substances

  • Chemokines
  • Cytokines