Cells (Sep 2022)

Role of the Tumor Microenvironment in Regulating Pancreatic Cancer Therapy Resistance

  • Daiyong Deng,
  • Riya Patel,
  • Cheng-Yao Chiang,
  • Pingping Hou

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11192952
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 19
p. 2952

Abstract

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Pancreatic cancer has a notoriously poor prognosis, exhibits persistent drug resistance, and lacks a cure. Unique features of the pancreatic tumor microenvironment exacerbate tumorigenesis, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Recent studies emphasize the importance of exploiting cells in the tumor microenvironment to thwart cancers. In this review, we summarize the hallmarks of the multifaceted pancreatic tumor microenvironment, notably pancreatic stellate cells, tumor-associated fibroblasts, macrophages, and neutrophils, in the regulation of chemo-, radio-, immuno-, and targeted therapy resistance in pancreatic cancer. The molecular insight will facilitate the development of novel therapeutics against pancreatic cancer.

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