Role of CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis in pancreatic cancer

• Published in: Chinese medical journal 2013-09, Vol.126 (17), p.3371-3374
• Main Authors: Wu, Peng-Fei, Lu, Zi-Peng, Cai, Bao-Bao, Tian, Lei, Zou, Chen, Jiang, Kui-Rong, Miao, Yi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemokine CXCL12 - genetics; Chemokine CXCL12 - metabolism; CXCR4; Humans; Pancreatic Neoplasms - genetics; Pancreatic Neoplasms - metabolism; Receptors, CXCR4 - genetics; Receptors, CXCR4 - metabolism; Signal Transduction - genetics; Signal Transduction - physiology; 信号; 恶性肿瘤; 数据来源; 文献检索; 肿瘤细胞; 胰腺癌; 轴
• ISSN: 0366-6999; 2542-5641
• DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0366-6999.20130748

Objective This review focuses on the state-of-the-art of CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis in pancreatic cancer and its role in tumor progression. Data sources Relevant articles published in English were identified by searching in Pubmed from 1997 to 2013, with keywords ＂CXCL12＂, ＂CXCR4＂ and ＂pancreatic cancer＂. Important references from selected articles were also retrieved. Study selection Articles about CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis in pancreatic cancer and relevant mechanisms were selected. Results Pancreatic cancer has been one of the most lethal human malignancies, with median survival less than one year and overall 5-year survival only 6%. Tumor cells from pancreatic cancer express high level of CXCR4. CXCL12, the ligand for CXCR4, is extensively secreted by neighboring stromal cells and other distant organs. CXCL12 primarily binds to CXCR4, induces intracellular signaling through several divergent pathways, which are involved in progression and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Conclusions CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis may play an important role in the communication between pancreatic cancer cells and their microenvironment, which may have effect on tumor proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis and chemoresistance. CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis may serves as a novel therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.