The Role of Tumor Microenvironment in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

A special issue of Current Oncology (ISSN 1718-7729). This special issue belongs to the section "Gastrointestinal Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2024) | Viewed by 6605

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Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: animal models of disease; liver transplant pathology; colorectal cancer; liver metastases
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The latest Special Issue of our scientific journal explores the critical role of the tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer treatment. Pancreatic cancer is known for its aggressive nature, resistance to treatment, and poor prognosis. Therefore, understanding the complex interactions between cancer cells and the microenvironment is crucial for developing effective therapies.

In this Special Issue, we invite you to present your latest research findings, covering various aspects of the tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer. Topics range from the role of immune cells and cytokines in modulating the tumor microenvironment to novel approaches for targeting the stroma and enhancing drug delivery.

Through cutting-edge research and innovative approaches, this Special Issue will shed light on the complex and dynamic nature of the tumor microenvironment and its impact on pancreatic cancer treatment. We believe that this Special Issue will be of great interest to researchers, clinicians, and students working in the field of cancer biology and oncology. Join us in exploring the latest advancements in this exciting and rapidly evolving field.

Dr. Rui Caetano Oliveira
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • pancreatic cancer
  • tumor microenvironment
  • treatment

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 7342 KiB  
Article
Preclinical Synergistic Combination Therapy of Lurbinectedin with Irinotecan and 5-Fluorouracil in Pancreatic Cancer
by Tej Tummala, Ashley Sanchez Sevilla Uruchurtu, Arielle De La Cruz, Kelsey E. Huntington, Andrew George, Nicholas R. Liguori, Leiqing Zhang, Lanlan Zhou, Abbas E. Abbas, Christopher G. Azzoli and Wafik S. El-Deiry
Curr. Oncol. 2023, 30(11), 9611-9626; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol30110696 - 31 Oct 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3721
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease with a poor prognosis. Novel chemotherapeutics in pancreatic cancer have shown limited success, illustrating the urgent need for new treatments. Lurbinectedin (PM01183; LY-01017) received FDA approval in 2020 for metastatic small cell lung cancer on or after [...] Read more.
Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease with a poor prognosis. Novel chemotherapeutics in pancreatic cancer have shown limited success, illustrating the urgent need for new treatments. Lurbinectedin (PM01183; LY-01017) received FDA approval in 2020 for metastatic small cell lung cancer on or after platinum-based chemotherapy and is currently undergoing clinical trials in a variety of tumor types. Lurbinectedin stalls and degrades RNA Polymerase II and introduces breaks in DNA, causing subsequent apoptosis. We now demonstrate lurbinectedin’s highly efficient killing of human-derived pancreatic tumor cell lines PANC-1, BxPC-3, and HPAF-II as a single agent. We further demonstrate that a combination of lurbinectedin and irinotecan, a topoisomerase I inhibitor with FDA approval for advanced pancreatic cancer, results in the synergistic killing of pancreatic tumor cells. Western blot analysis of combination therapy indicates an upregulation of γH2AX, a DNA damage marker, and the Chk1/ATR pathway, which is involved in replicative stress and DNA damage response. We further demonstrate that the triple combination between lurbinectedin, irinotecan, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) results in a highly efficient killing of tumor cells. Our results are developing insights regarding molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of a novel combination drug treatment for pancreatic cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Tumor Microenvironment in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment)
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Review

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20 pages, 1142 KiB  
Review
Focus on Pancreatic Cancer Microenvironment
by Fabiana Pratticò and Ingrid Garajová
Curr. Oncol. 2024, 31(8), 4241-4260; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31080316 - 26 Jul 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2156
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains one of the most lethal solid tumors due to its local aggressiveness and metastatic potential, with a 5-year survival rate of only 13%. A robust connection between pancreatic cancer microenvironment and tumor progression exists, as well as resistance to [...] Read more.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains one of the most lethal solid tumors due to its local aggressiveness and metastatic potential, with a 5-year survival rate of only 13%. A robust connection between pancreatic cancer microenvironment and tumor progression exists, as well as resistance to current anticancer treatments. Pancreatic cancer has a complex tumor microenvironment, characterized by an intricate crosstalk between cancer cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells. The complex composition of the tumor microenvironment is also reflected in the diversity of its acellular components, such as the extracellular matrix, cytokines, growth factors and secreted ligands involved in signaling pathways. Desmoplasia, the hallmark of the pancreatic cancer microenvironment, contributes by creating a dense and hypoxic environment that promotes further tumorigenesis, provides innate systemic resistance and suppresses anti-tumor immune invasion. We discuss the complex crosstalk among tumor microenvironment components and explore therapeutic strategies and opportunities in pancreatic cancer research. Better understanding of the tumor microenvironment and its influence on pancreatic cancer progression could lead to potential novel therapeutic options, such as integration of immunotherapy and cytokine-targeted treatments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Tumor Microenvironment in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment)
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