Pancreatic Cancer-Secreted Proteins: Targeting Their Functions in Tumor Microenvironment

Abstract

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a ravaging disease with a poor prognosis, requiring a more detailed understanding of its biology to foster the development of effective therapies. The unsatisfactory results of treatments targeting cell proliferation and its related mechanisms suggest a shift in focus towards the inflammatory tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we discuss the role of cancer-secreted proteins in the complex TME tumor-stroma crosstalk, shedding lights on druggable molecular targets for the development of innovative, safer and more efficient therapeutic strategies.

Keywords

• pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
• secretome
• cell signaling
• tumor microenvironment
• small molecules
• monoclonal antibodies