Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Treatment hurdles, tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy

A bioprinted sea-and-island multicellular model for dissecting human pancreatic tumor-stroma reciprocity and adaptive metabolism

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents a formidable clinical challenge due to its intricate microenvironment characterized by desmoplasia and complex tumor-stroma interactions. Conventional models hinder studying cellular crosstalk for therapeutic development. To recapitulate key features of PDAC masses, this study creates a novel sea-and-island PDAC tumor construct (s&i PTC). The s&i PTC consists of 3D-printed islands of human PDAC cells positioned within an interstitial extracellular matrix (ECM) populated by human cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). This design closely mimics the in vivo desmoplastic architecture and nutrient-poor conditions. The model enables studying dynamic tumor-stroma crosstalk and signaling reciprocity, revealing both known and yet-to-be-discovered multicellular metabolic adaptations. Using the model, we discovered the orchestrated dynamic alterations of CAFs under nutrient stress, resembling critical in vivo human tumor niches, such as the secretion of pro-tumoral inflammatory factors. Additionally, nutrient scarcity induces dynamic alterations in the ECM composition and exacerbates poor cancer cell differentiation-features well-established in PDAC progression. Proteomic analysis unveiled the enrichment of proteins associated with aggressive tumor behavior and ECM remodeling in response to poor nutritional conditions, mimicking the metabolic stresses experienced by avascular pancreatic tumor cores. Importantly, the model's relevance to patient outcomes is evident through an inverse correlation between biomarker expression patterns in the s&i PTCs and PDAC patient survival rates. Key findings include upregulated MMPs and key ECM proteins (such as collagen 11 and TGFβ) under nutrient-avid conditions, known to be regulated by CAFs, alongside the concomitant reduction in E-cadherin expression associated with a poorly differentiated PDAC state under nutrient deprivation. Furthermore, elevated levels of hyaluronic acid (HA) and integrins in response to nutrient deprivation underscore the model's fidelity to the PDAC microenvironment. We also observed increased IL-6 and reduced α-SMA expression under poor nutritional conditions, suggesting a transition of CAFs from myofibroblastic to inflammatory phenotypes under a nutrient stress akin to in vivo niches. In conclusion, the s&i PTC represents a significant advancement in engineering clinically relevant 3D models of PDAC masses. It offers a promising platform for elucidating tumor-stroma interactions and guiding future therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcomes.

The need for research targeting the link between occupational carcinogens and hepatopancreatobiliary cancers in Africa: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) cancers encompassing malignancies of the liver, pancreas, gall bladder, and bile ducts pose a significant health burden in Africa. While the association of certain occupational carcinogens in cancer is well established globally, their potential role in HPB cancers remains understudied, especially in an African context.

AIM

This systematic review delves into the association between occupational carcinogens and HPB cancer in Africa. It examines the current state of research on occupational carcinogens and HPB cancers in Africa, identifying key challenges and knowledge gaps.

METHODS

This systematic review examined publications (published between 01 January 2012 and 31 May 2023) that highlight occupational carcinogens and HBP cancers in Africa. The search was conducted on electronic databases namely PubMed, Web of Science, and Africa Wide Information.

RESULT

Due to the lack of information on the association between occupational carcinogens and HPB cancers in Africa, as a result of the paucity of published studies, only four articles were included in this study. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was the predominant cancer associated with the occupational carcinogen, aflatoxin. Agricultural workers, especially those involved in the production and processing of maize and peanuts, appear to be the most exposed to aflatoxin.

CONCLUSION

Despite the sample size limitations due to the paucity of research studies on occupational carcinogens and HPB cancers in Africa, this study provides a reasonable tool for subsequent epidemiological studies. There is a need for more research on the association of occupational carcinogens and HPB cancers in Africa, especially with the growing industrialization.

Establishment of a Transplantation Model of PDAC-Derived Liver Metastases

BACKGROUND

The highly metastatic nature of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and the difficulty to achieve favorable patient outcomes emphasize the need for novel therapeutic solutions. For preclinical evaluations, genetically engineered mouse models are often used to mimic human PDAC but frequently fail to replicate synchronous development and metastatic spread. This study aimed to develop a transplantation model to achieve synchronous and homogenous PDAC growth with controlled metastatic patterns in the liver.

METHODS

To generate an orthotopic PDAC model, the DT6606 cell line was injected into the pancreas head of C57BL/6 mice, and their survival was monitored over time. To generate a heterotopic transplantation model, growing doses of three PDAC cell lines (DT6606, DT6606lm, and K8484) were injected into the portal vein of mice. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to monitor metastatic progression, and histologic analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Orthotopically injected mice succumbed to the tumor within an 11-week period (average survival time, 78.2 ± 4.45 days). Post-mortem examinations failed to identify liver metastasis. In the intraportal model, 2 × 105 DT6606 cells resulted in an absence of liver metastases by day 21, whereas 5 × 104 DT6606lm cells and 7 × 104 K8484 cells resulted in steady metastatic growth. Higher doses caused significant metastatic liver involvement. The use of K8484 cells ensured the growth of tumors closely resembling the histopathologic characteristics of human PDAC.

CONCLUSIONS

This report details the authors' efforts to establish an "optimal" murine model for inducing metastatic PDAC, which is critical for advancing our understanding of the disease and developing more effective treatments.

Somatic Mutation Profile as a Predictor of Treatment Response and Survival in Unresectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Treated with FOLFIRINOX and Gemcitabine Nab-Paclitaxel

(1) Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has low survival rates despite treatment advancements. Aim: This study aims to show how molecular profiling could possibly guide personalized treatment strategies, which may help improve survival outcomes in patients with PDAC. (2) Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 142 PDAC patients from a single academic center was conducted. Patients underwent chemotherapy and next-generation sequencing for molecular profiling. Key oncogenic pathways were identified using the Reactome pathway database. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox Proportional Hazards Regression. (3) Results: Patients mainly received FOLFIRINOX (n = 62) or gemcitabine nab-paclitaxel (n = 62) as initial chemotherapy. The median OS was 13.6 months. Longer median OS was noted in patients with NOTCH (15 vs. 12.3 months, p = 0.007) and KIT pathway mutations (21.3 vs. 12.12 months, p = 0.04). Combinatorial pathway analysis indicated potential synergistic effects on survival. In the PFS, PI3K pathway (6.6 vs. 5.7 months, p = 0.03) and KIT pathway (10.3 vs. 6.2 months, p = 0.03) mutations correlated with improved PFS within the gemcitabine nab-paclitaxel subgroup. (4) Conclusions: Molecular profiling could play a role in PDAC for predicting outcomes and responses to therapies like FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine nab-paclitaxel. Integrating genomic data into clinical decision-making can benefit PDAC treatment, though further validation is needed to fully utilize precision oncology in PDAC management.

Regulatory effects of statins on Akt signaling for prevention of cancers

Statins, which are primarily used as lipid-lowering drugs, have been found to exhibit anti-tumor effects through modulating and interfering with various signaling pathways. In observational studies, statin use has been associated with a significant reduction in the progression of various cancers, including colon, lung, prostate, pancreas, and esophagus cancer, as well as melanoma and B and T cell lymphoma. The mevalonate pathway, which is affected by statins, plays a crucial role in activating Rho, Ras, and Rab proteins, thereby impacting the proliferation and apoptosis of tumor cells. Statins block this pathway, leading to the inhibition of isoprenoid units, which are critical for the activation of these key proteins, thereby affecting cancer cell behavior. Additionally, statins affect MAPK and Cdk2, which in turn reduce the expression of p21 and p27 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. Akt signaling plays a crucial role in key cancer cell features like proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis by activating multiple effectors in downstream pathways such as FOXO, PTEN, NF-κB, GSK3β, and mTOR. The PI3K/Akt signaling is necessary for many events in the metastatic pathway and has been implicated in the resistance to cytostatic drugs. The Akt/PTEN axis is currently attracting great interest for its role in carcinogenesis. Statins have been shown to activate the purinergic receptor P2X7 and affect Akt signaling, which may have important anti-cancer effects. Hence, targeting Akt shows promise as an effective approach to cancer prevention and therapy. This review aims to provide a comprehensive discussion on the specific impact of statins through Akt signaling in different types of cancer.

The xenobiotic transporter ABCC4/MRP4 promotes epithelial mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer

The xenobiotic transporter ABCC4/MRP4 is highly expressed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and correlates with a more aggressive phenotype and metastatic propensity. Here, we show that ABCC4 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in PDAC, a hallmark process involving the acquisition of mesenchymal traits by epithelial cells, enhanced cell motility, and chemoresistance. Modulation of ABCC4 levels in PANC-1 and BxPC-3 cell lines resulted in the dysregulation of genes present in the EMT signature. Bioinformatic analysis on several cohorts including tumor samples, primary patient-derived cultured cells, patient-derived xenografts, and cell lines, revealed a positive correlation between ABCC4 expression and EMT markers. We also characterized the ABCC4 cistrome and identified four candidate clusters in the distal promoter and intron one that showed differential binding of pro-epithelial FOXA1 and pro-mesenchymal GATA2 transcription factors in low ABCC4-expressing HPAF-II and high ABCC4-expressing PANC-1 xenografts. HPAF-II xenografts showed exclusive binding of FOXA1, and PANC-1 xenografts exclusive binding of GATA2, at ABCC4 clusters, consistent with their low and high EMT phenotype respectively. Our results underscore ABCC4/MRP4 as a valuable prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target to treat PDAC subtypes with prominent EMT features, such as the basal-like/squamous subtype, characterized by worse prognosis and no effective therapies.

Enhancing Neoadjuvant Virotherapy's Effectiveness by Targeting Stroma to Improve Resectability in Pancreatic Cancer

About one-fourth of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are categorized as borderline resectable (BR) or locally advanced (LA). Chemotherapy and radiation therapy have not yielded the anticipated outcomes in curing patients with BR/LA PDAC. The surgical resection of these tumors presents challenges owing to the unpredictability of the resection margin, involvement of vasculature with the tumor, the likelihood of occult metastasis, a higher ratio of positive lymph nodes, and the relatively larger size of tumor nodules. Oncolytic virotherapy has shown promising activity in preclinical PDAC models. Unfortunately, the desmoplastic stroma within the PDAC tumor microenvironment establishes a barrier, hindering the infiltration of oncolytic viruses and various therapeutic drugs-such as antibodies, adoptive cell therapy agents, and chemotherapeutic agents-in reaching the tumor site. Recently, a growing emphasis has been placed on targeting major acellular components of tumor stroma, such as hyaluronic acid and collagen, to enhance drug penetration. Oncolytic viruses can be engineered to express proteolytic enzymes that cleave hyaluronic acid and collagen into smaller polypeptides, thereby softening the desmoplastic stroma, ultimately leading to increased viral distribution along with increased oncolysis and subsequent tumor size regression. This approach may offer new possibilities to improve the resectability of patients diagnosed with BR and LA PDAC.

Investigating underlying molecular mechanisms, signaling pathways, emerging therapeutic approaches in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma, a clinically challenging malignancy constitutes a significant contributor to cancer-related mortality, characterized by an inherently poor prognosis. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of pancreatic adenocarcinoma by examining its multifaceted etiologies, including genetic mutations and environmental factors. The review explains the complex molecular mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis and summarizes current therapeutic strategies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and emerging modalities such as immunotherapy. Critical molecular pathways driving pancreatic cancer development, including KRAS, Notch, and Hedgehog, are discussed. Current therapeutic strategies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, are discussed, with an emphasis on their limitations, particularly in terms of postoperative relapse. Promising research areas, including liquid biopsies, personalized medicine, and gene editing, are explored, demonstrating the significant potential for enhancing diagnosis and treatment. While immunotherapy presents promising prospects, it faces challenges related to immune evasion mechanisms. Emerging research directions, encompassing liquid biopsies, personalized medicine, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, and computational intelligence applications, hold promise for refining diagnostic approaches and therapeutic interventions. By integrating insights from genetic, molecular, and clinical research, innovative strategies that improve patient outcomes can be developed. Ongoing research in these emerging fields holds significant promise for advancing the diagnosis and treatment of this formidable malignancy.

Clinical and molecular characteristics of patients with brain metastasis secondary to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The prognosis for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is poor. Secondary brain metastasis (Br-M) occurs in less than 1% of patients. Clinical characteristics and molecular alterations have not been characterized in this rare patients' subset.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Foundry software platform was used to retrospectively query electronic health records for patients with Br-M secondary to PDAC from 2005 to 2023; clinical, molecular, and overall survival (OS) data were analyzed.

RESULTS

Br-M was diagnosed in 44 patients with PDAC. Median follow-up was 78 months; median OS from initial PDAC diagnosis was 47 months. Median duration from PDAC diagnosis to Br-M detection was 24 months; median OS from Br-M diagnosis was 3 months. At Br-M diagnosis, 82% (n = 36) of patients had elevated CA19-9. Lung was the most common preexisting metastatic location (71%) with Br-M, followed by liver (66%). Br-M were most frequently observed in the frontal lobe (34%, n = 15), cerebellar region (23%, n = 10), and leptomeninges (18%, n = 8). KRAS mutations were detected in 94.1% (n = 16) of patients who had molecular data available (n = 17) with KRASG12V being the most frequent subtype 47% (n = 8); KRASG12D in 29% (n = 5); KRASG12R in 18% (n = 3). Patients who underwent Br-M surgical resection (n = 5) had median OS of 8.6 months, while median OS following stereotactic radiosurgery only (n = 11) or whole-brain radiation only (n = 20) was 3.3 and 2.8 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Br-M is a late PDAC complication, resulting in an extremely poor prognosis especially in leptomeningeal disease. KRAS was mutated in 94.1% of the patients and the KRASG12V subtype was prevalent.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma microenvironment: Soluble factors and cancer associated fibroblasts as modulators of NK cell functions

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most frequent pancreatic cancer and represents one of the most aggressive human neoplasms. Typically identified at advance stage disease, most PDAC tumors are unresectable and resistant to standard therapies. The immunosuppressive microenvironment in PDAC impedes tumor control but a greater understanding of the complex stromal interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the development of strategies capable of restoring antitumor effector immune responses could be crucial to fight this aggressive tumor and its spread. Natural Killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in cancer immunosurveillance and represent an attractive target for immunotherapies, both as cell therapy and as a pharmaceutical target. This review describes some crucial components of the PDAC TME (collagens, soluble factors and fibroblasts) that can influence the presence, phenotype and function of NK cells in PDAC patients tumor tissue. This focused overview highlights the therapeutic relevance of dissecting the complex stromal composition to define new strategies for NK cell-based immunotherapies to improve the treatment of PDAC.

Decoding the Intricate Landscape of Pancreatic Cancer: Insights into Tumor Biology, Microenvironment, and Therapeutic Interventions

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents significant oncological challenges due to its aggressive nature and poor prognosis. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in progression and treatment resistance. Non-neoplastic cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), contribute to tumor growth, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. Although immune cells infiltrate TME, tumor cells evade immune responses by secreting chemokines and expressing immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Vascular components, like endothelial cells and pericytes, stimulate angiogenesis to support tumor growth, while adipocytes secrete factors that promote cell growth, invasion, and treatment resistance. Additionally, perineural invasion, a characteristic feature of PDAC, contributes to local recurrence and poor prognosis. Moreover, key signaling pathways including Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), Notch, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), and Wnt/β-catenin drive tumor progression and resistance. Targeting the TME is crucial for developing effective therapies, including strategies like inhibiting CAFs, modulating immune response, disrupting angiogenesis, and blocking neural cell interactions. A recent multi-omic approach has identified signature genes associated with anoikis resistance, which could serve as prognostic biomarkers and targets for personalized therapy.

Targeting the dynamic transcriptional landscape of Treg subpopulations in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Insights from single-cell RNA sequencing analysis with a focus on CTLA4 and TIGIT

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy that represents a significant challenge in cancer research and clinical management. In this study, we reanalyzed a published single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset from PDAC and adjacent tissues to investigate the heterogeneity of tumor and normal tissue, specifically focusing on the regulatory T cells (Tregs) and their interactions with other cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Treg cells were identified and clustered into natural Tregs (nTreg) and induced Tregs (iTreg) based on the expression of specific genes. It was found that the number of iTregs was higher in the tumor than in healthy tissues, while the number of n Tregs was higher in healthy tissues. Differential gene expression analysis was performed, and biological process analysis revealed that the Tregs in PDAC were mostly involved in protein targeting and translation pathways. In addition, ligand-receptor pairs between Tregs and other cell types were identified, and the critical communication pathways between Tregs and endothelial and ductal cells were revealed, which could potentially contribute to the immunosuppressive TME of PDAC. These findings provide insights into the role of Tregs in PDAC and their interactions with other cell types in the TME, highlighting potential targets for immunotherapy, such as the inhibitory immune checkpoint receptors CTLA4 and TIGIT, which are known to be expressed on Tregs and have been shown to play a role in suppressing anti-tumor immune responses.

T1-mapping characterization of two tumor types

T1 mapping is a quantitative method to characterize tissues with magnetic resonance imaging in a quick and efficient manner. It utilizes the relaxation rate of protons to depict the underlying structures within the imaging frame. While T1-mapping techniques are used with some frequency in areas such as cardiac imaging, their application for understanding malignancies and identifying tumor structures has yet to be thoroughly investigated. Utilizing a saturation recovery method to acquire T1 maps for two different tumor models has revealed that longitudinal relaxation mapping is sensitive enough to distinguish between normal and malignant tissue. This is seen even with decreased signal/noise ratios using small voxel sizes to obtain high-resolution images. In both tumor models, it was revealed that relaxation mapping recorded significantly different relaxation values between regions encapsulating the tumor, muscle, kidney, or spleen, as well as between the cell lines themselves. This indicates a potential future application of relaxation mapping as a method to fingerprint various stages of tumor development and may prove a useful measure to identify micro-metastases.

Physico-chemical characterization of the tumour microenvironment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive lethal malignancy that accounts for more than 90% of pancreatic cancer diagnoses. Our research is focused on the physico-chemical properties of the tumour microenvironment (TME), including its tumoural extracellular matrix (tECM), as they may have an important impact on the success of cancer therapies. PDAC xenografts and their decellularized tECM offer a great material source for research in terms of biomimicry with the original human tumour. Our aim was to evaluate and quantify the physico-chemical properties of the PDAC TME. Both cellularized (native TME) and decellularized (tECM) patient-derived PDAC xenografts were analyzed. A factorial design of experiments identified an optimal combination of factors for effective xenograft decellularization. Our results provide a complete advance in our understanding of the PDAC TME and its corresponding stroma, showing that it presents an interconnected porous architecture with very low permeability and small pores due to the contractility of the cellular components. This fact provides a potential therapeutic strategy based on the therapeutic agent size.

Targeting Neoantigens in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common type of pancreatic cancer and is currently the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States after lung and colon cancer. PDAC is estimated to be the second leading cause of cancer-related death by 2030. The diagnosis at a late stage is the underlying cause for higher mortality and poor prognosis after surgery. Treatment resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy results in recurrence after surgery and poor prognosis. Neoantigen burden and CD8+ T-cell infiltration are associated with clinical outcomes in PDAC and paucity of neoantigen-reactive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes may be the underlying cause for treatment resistance for immunotherapy. This suggests a need to identify additional neoantigens and therapies targeting these neoantigens to improve clinical outcomes in PDAC. In this review, we focus on describing the pathophysiology, current treatment strategies, and treatment resistance in PDAC followed by the need to target neoantigens in PDAC.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Its Correlation in the Development of Pancreatic Cancer: A 10-Year Systematic Review

PURPOSE

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a fatal malignancy with an aggressive course derived from the cells of pancreatic tissue. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a state of spontaneous hyperglycemia occurring during gestation and has been suggested as a risk factor PC. Women with a history of GDM revealed a risk rate of 7.1% for the development of PC. The current systematic review aims to investigate the correlation between GDM and the degree to the prevalence of PC.

METHODOLOGY

For this systematic review, the PICO model was prepared to construct and outline the exact questions of the study, a PRISMA flow diagram was prepared and quality assessment was conducted using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) for Cohort Studies, the NIH Quality Assessment Tool-Criteria for Case Reports and the Cochrane quality assessment tool for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis studies.

RESULT

A total of eight articles were retrieved from the main databases, and a table was created to summarize the information found. Even though the data found were limited, the quality assessment performed revealed that the articles were of high validity.

CONCLUSIONS

It can be concluded that GDM has an association with the development of PC and can be considered as a risk factor.

Therapeutic resurgence of 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) through tissue-targeted prodrugs

The recognition that rapidly proliferating cancer cells rely heavily on glutamine for their survival and growth has renewed interest in the development of glutamine antagonists for cancer therapy. Glutamine plays a pivotal role as a carbon source for synthesizing lipids and metabolites through the TCA cycle, as well as a nitrogen source for synthesis of amino acid and nucleotides. Numerous studies have explored the significance of glutamine metabolism in cancer, providing a robust rationale for targeting this metabolic pathway in cancer treatment. The glutamine antagonist 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) has been explored as an anticancer therapeutic for nearly six decades. Initial investigations revealed remarkable efficacy in preclinical studies and promising outcomes in early clinical trials. However, further advancement of DON was hindered due to dose-limiting gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities as the GI system is highly dependent on glutamine for regulating growth and repair. In an effort to repurpose DON and mitigate gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity concerns, prodrug strategies were utilized. These strategies aimed to enhance the delivery of DON to specific target tissues, such as tumors and the central nervous system (CNS), while sparing DON delivery to normal tissues, particularly the GI tract. When administered at low daily doses, optimized for metabolic inhibition, these prodrugs exhibit remarkable effectiveness without inducing significant toxicity to normal tissues. This approach holds promise for overcoming past challenges associated with DON, offering an avenue for its successful utilization in cancer treatment.

Theranostic Bottle-Brush Polymers Tailored for Universal Solid-Tumor Targeting

Designing an efficient nanocarrier to target multiple types of cancer remains a major challenge in the development of cancer nanomedicines. The majority of systemically administered nanoparticles (NPs) are rapidly cleared by the liver, resulting in poor tumor-targeting efficiency and severe side effects. Here, we present a delicately tailored design and synthesis of fluorescent bottle-brush polymers and screen nine derived NPs, each varying in size and surface coatings, for tumor imaging and targeted delivery. Our optimized polymer bearing (oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) in the side chains shows reduced macrophage uptake, prolonged blood-circulation time (up to 27 h), and exceptionally high accumulation in the tumor compared to the liver, elucidating an immune-evasion-induced tumor-targeting mechanism. High tumor accumulation significantly improved the antitumor efficacy. The outstanding tumor-targeting ability has been further validated across five distinct tumor models, including orthotopic glioblastoma and pancreatic cancer, which demonstrate the universality of our polymeric nanocarrier for tumor-targeting delivery.

A Nine-Year-Old Child With Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is exceedingly rare in children. Here, we report the case of a nine-year-old boy diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The patient was treated per the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) guidelines for adults with pancreatic cancer. Though the patient had multiple episodes of progression, the patient has remained alive with the disease 18 months after the initial diagnosis.

Design, Synthesis, Docking Studies and Molecular Dynamics Simulation of New 1,3,5-Triazine Derivatives as Anticancer Agents Selectively Targeting Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (Capan-1)

On the basis of remarkable anticancer profile of s-triazine nucleus, a new series of 2-methoxy-4-(3-morpholino-5-(arylamino)phenoxy)benzaldehyde derivatives 11 a-u was prepared and evaluated for in vitro antiproliferative activity against eight diverse human cancer cell lines (Capan-1, HCT-116, LN229, NCI-H460, DND-41, HL-60, K562 and Z138). Compounds 11 o, 11 r and 11 s were the most potent anticancer agents on pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Capan-1) cell line with IC50 value of 1.4, 5.1 and 5.3 μM, respectively, while compounds 11 f, 11 g, 11 k, 11 l and 11 n displayed selective activity against the pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Capan-1) cell line with IC50 values of 7.3-11.5 μM. These results indicate that derivative 11 o may serve as a promising lead compound for the ongoing development of novel antiproliferative agents. The docking studies were conducted to predict the interactions of derivative 11 o with putative protein targets in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Capan-1) cell line, specifically the prenyl-binding protein PDEδ. Furthermore, the analysis of the molecular dynamics simulation results demonstrated that complex 11 o promoted a higher stability to the prenyl-binding protein PDEδ.

Preclinical evaluation of the gorilla-derived HAdV-B AdV-lumc007 oncolytic adenovirus 'GoraVir' for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy which shows unparalleled therapeutic resistance due to its genetic and cellular heterogeneity, dense stromal tissue, and immune-suppressive tumour microenvironment. Oncolytic virotherapy has emerged as a new treatment modality which uses tumour-specific viruses to eliminate cancerous cells. Non-human primate adenoviruses of the human adenovirus B (HAdV-B) species have demonstrated considerable lytic potential in human cancer cells as well as limited preexisting neutralizing immunity in humans. Previously, we have generated a new oncolytic derivative of the gorilla-derived HAdV-B AdV-lumc007 named 'GoraVir'. Here, we show that GoraVir displays oncolytic efficacy in pancreatic cancer cells and pancreatic-cancer-associated fibroblasts. Moreover, it retains its lytic potential in monoculture and co-culture spheroids. In addition, we established the ubiquitously expressed complement receptor CD46 as the main entry receptor for GoraVir. Finally, a single intratumoural dose of GoraVir was shown to delay tumour growth in a BxPC-3 xenograft model at 10 days post-treatment. Collectively, these data demonstrate that the new gorilla-derived oncolytic adenovirus is a potent oncolytic vector candidate that targets both pancreatic cancer cells and tumour-adjacent stroma.

Synergistic immunomodulatory effect of synbiotics pre- and postoperative resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a randomized controlled study

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive cancer with a highly immunosuppressive microenvironment. This single-blind, randomized study aimed to evaluate the synergistic immunomodulatory effects of synbiotics (probiotics and inulin prebiotics), as well as their impact on postoperative complications and outcomes, compared to the use of probiotics alone. Ninety patients diagnosed with PDAC were enrolled and randomly assigned into three groups: the placebo group, the probiotics group (receiving a mixture of ten strains of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus bacteria at a dose of 25 billion CFUs), and the synbiotics group (the same probiotics along with inulin prebiotics). The interventions were administered for 14 days before the surgery and continued for one month postoperatively. Tumor tissue infiltration of CD8 + T cells and the expression of IFN γ were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Inflammatory cytokines concentrations, including Il 1 B, IL 6, and IL 10, were evaluated as well by ELISA at various time points pre- and postoperative. Furthermore, patients were followed up after the surgery to assess postoperative short-term outcomes. Our results showed a significant elevation of CD8 + T cell proportion and IFN γ expression in the synbiotics group compared to the probiotics group (p = 0.049, p = 0.013, respectively). Inflammatory cytokines showed a significant gradual decrease in the synbiotics group compared to placebo and probiotics-treated groups (p = 0.000 for both). Administration of synbiotics and probiotics significantly decreased the rate of postoperative complications including anastomotic leakage, diarrhea, and abdominal distension (p = 0.032, p = 0.044, p = 0.042, respectively), with a remarkable reduction in bacteremia in the synbiotics group. These results revealed that this synbiotics formulation potentially enhances the immune response and reduces complications associated with surgery.Clinical trial identification: NCT06199752 (27-12-2023).

A new era of immune therapeutics for pancreatic cancer: Monoclonal antibodies paving the way

Pancreatic cancer, particularly pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, remains a devastating disease with a dismal prognosis and limited survival rates. Despite various drug treatments and regimens showing promise in managing the disease, the clinical outcomes have not significantly improved. Immunotherapy however, has become a forefront area in pancreatic cancer treatment. This approach comprises a range of agents, including small molecule drugs, antibodies, combination therapies, and vaccines. In the last 5-8 years, there has been an upsurge of research into the use of monoclonal antibodies to block receptors on cancer or immune cells, revolutionising cancer treatment and management. Several targets have been identified and studied, with the most encouraging noted in relation to checkpoint markers, namely, antibodies targeting anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and its receptor PD-L1. Herein, we present the clinical developments in immunotherapy in the last 5 years especially those which have been tested in humans against pancreatic cancer.

Survival-Associated Cellular Response Maintained in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) Switched Between Soft and Stiff 3D Microgel Culture

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounts for about 90% of all pancreatic cancer cases. Five-year survival rates have remained below 12% since the 1970s, in part due to the difficulty in detection prior to metastasis (migration and invasion into neighboring organs and glands). Mechanical memory is a concept that has emerged over the past decade that may provide a path toward understanding how invading PDAC cells "remember" the mechanical properties of their diseased ("stiff", elastic modulus, E ≈ 10 kPa) microenvironment even while invading a healthy ("soft", E ≈ 1 kPa) microenvironment. Here, we investigated the role of mechanical priming by culturing a dilute suspension of PDAC (FG) cells within a 3D, rheologically tunable microgel platform from hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties. We conducted a suite of acute (short-term) priming studies where we cultured PDAC cells in either a soft (E ≈ 1 kPa) or stiff (E ≈ 10 kPa) environment for 6 h, then removed and placed them into a new soft or stiff 3D environment for another 18 h. Following these steps, we conducted RNA-seq analyses to quantify gene expression. Initial priming in the 3D culture showed persistent gene expression for the duration of the study, regardless of the subsequent environments (stiff or soft). Stiff 3D culture was associated with the downregulation of tumor suppressors (LATS1, BCAR3, CDKN2C), as well as the upregulation of cancer-associated genes (RAC3). Immunofluorescence staining (BCAR3, RAC3) further supported the persistence of this cellular response, with BCAR3 upregulated in soft culture and RAC3 upregulated in stiff-primed culture. Stiff-primed genes were stratified against patient data found in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Upregulated genes in stiff-primed 3D culture were associated with decreased survival in patient data, suggesting a link between patient survival and mechanical priming.

Quantitative Metabolomics and Lipoprotein Analysis of PDAC Patients Suggests Serum Marker Categories for Pancreatic Function, Pancreatectomy, Cancer Metabolism, and Systemic Disturbances

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is difficult to diagnose in the early stages and lacks reliable biomarkers. The scope of this project was to establish quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to comprehensively study blood serum alterations in PDAC patients. Serum samples from 34 PDAC patients obtained before and after pancreatectomy as well as 83 age- and sex-matched control samples from healthy donors were analyzed with in vitro diagnostics research (IVDr) proton NMR spectroscopy at 600 MHz. Uni- and multivariate statistics were applied to identify significant biofluid alterations. We identified 29 significantly changed metabolites and 98 lipoproteins when comparing serum from healthy controls with those of PDAC patients. The most prominent features were assigned to (i) markers of pancreatic function (e.g., glucose and blood triglycerides), (ii) markers related to surgery (e.g., ketone bodies and blood cholesterols), (iii) PDAC-associated markers (e.g., amino acids and creatine), and (iv) markers for systemic disturbances in PDAC (e.g., gut metabolites DMG, TMAO, DMSO2, and liver lipoproteins). Quantitative serum NMR spectroscopy is suited as a diagnostic tool to investigate PDAC. Remarkably, 2-hydroxybutyrate (2-HB) as a previously suggested marker for insulin resistance was found in extraordinarily high levels only after pancreatectomy, suggesting this metabolite is the strongest marker for pancreatic loss of function.

Optimization of a mouse model of pancreatic cancer to simulate the human phenotypes of metastasis and cachexia

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents with a high mortality rate. Two important features of PDAC contribute to this poor outcome. The first is metastasis which occurs in ~ 80% of PDAC patients. The second is cachexia, which compromises treatment tolerance for patients and reduces their quality of life. Although various mouse models of PDAC exist, recapitulating both metastatic and cachectic features have been challenging.

METHODS

Here, we optimize an orthotopic mouse model of PDAC by altering several conditions, including the subcloning of parental murine PDAC cells, implantation site, number of transplanted cells, and age of recipient mice. We perform spatial profiling to compare primary and metastatic immune microenvironments and RNA sequencing to gain insight into the mechanisms of muscle wasting in PDAC-induced cachexia, comparing non-metastatic to metastatic conditions.

RESULTS

These modifications extend the time course of the disease and concurrently increase the rate of metastasis to approximately 70%. Furthermore, reliable cachexia endpoints are achieved in both PDAC mice with and without metastases, which is reminiscent of patients. We also find that cachectic muscles from PDAC mice with metastasis exhibit a similar transcriptional profile to muscles derived from mice and patients without metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Together, this model is likely to be advantageous in both advancing our understanding of the mechanism of PDAC cachexia, as well as in the evaluation of novel therapeutics.

Protein Arginine Methyltransferases in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: New Molecular Targets for Therapy

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignant disease with a low 5-year overall survival rate. It is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The lack of robust therapeutics, absence of effective biomarkers for early detection, and aggressive nature of the tumor contribute to the high mortality rate of PDAC. Notably, the outcomes of recent immunotherapy and targeted therapy against PDAC remain unsatisfactory, indicating the need for novel therapeutic strategies. One of the newly described molecular features of PDAC is the altered expression of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). PRMTs are a group of enzymes known to methylate arginine residues in both histone and non-histone proteins, thereby mediating cellular homeostasis in biological systems. Some of the PRMT enzymes are known to be overexpressed in PDAC that promotes tumor progression and chemo-resistance via regulating gene transcription, cellular metabolic processes, RNA metabolism, and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Small-molecule inhibitors of PRMTs are currently under clinical trials and can potentially become a new generation of anti-cancer drugs. This review aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of PRMTs in PDAC, focusing on their pathological roles and their potential as new therapeutic targets.

Revealing the clinical potential of high-resolution organoids

The symbiotic interplay of organoid technology and advanced imaging strategies yields innovative breakthroughs in research and clinical applications. Organoids, intricate three-dimensional cell cultures derived from pluripotent or adult stem/progenitor cells, have emerged as potent tools for in vitro modeling, reflecting in vivo organs and advancing our grasp of tissue physiology and disease. Concurrently, advanced imaging technologies such as confocal, light-sheet, and two-photon microscopy ignite fresh explorations, uncovering rich organoid information. Combined with advanced imaging technologies and the power of artificial intelligence, organoids provide new insights that bridge experimental models and real-world clinical scenarios. This review explores exemplary research that embodies this technological synergy and how organoids reshape personalized medicine and therapeutics.

Results of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 1b/2 Trial of Nabpaclitaxel + Gemcitabine ± Olaratumab in Treatment-Naïve Participants with Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

The efficacy and safety of olaratumab plus nabpaclitaxel and gemcitabine in treatment-naïve participants with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma was evaluated. An initial phase 1b dose-escalation trial was conducted to determine the olaratumab dose for the phase 2 trial, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to compare overall survival (OS) in the olaratumab arm vs. placebo arms. In phase 1b, 22 participants received olaratumab at doses of 15 and 20 mg/kg with a fixed dose of nabpaclitaxel and gemcitabine. In phase 2, 159 participants were randomized to receive olaratumab 20 mg/kg in cycle 1 followed by 15 mg/kg in the subsequent cycles (n = 81) or the placebo (n = 78) on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle, plus nabpaclitaxel and gemcitabine. The primary objective of the trial was not met, with a median OS of 9.1 vs. 10.8 months (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.728, 1.527; p = 0.79) and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.5 vs. 6.4 months (HR = 1.19; 95% CI: 0.806, 1.764; p = 0.38), in the olaratumab vs. placebo arms, respectively. The most common treatment-emergent adverse event of any grade across both arms was fatigue. Olaratumab plus chemotherapy failed to improve the OS or PFS in participants with metastatic PDAC. There were no new safety signals.

Eravacycline, an antibacterial drug, repurposed for pancreatic cancer therapy: insights from a molecular-based deep learning model

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a serious threat to health, with limited effective therapeutic options, especially due to advanced stage at diagnosis and its inherent resistance to chemotherapy, making it one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The lack of clear treatment directions underscores the urgent need for innovative approaches to address and manage this deadly condition. In this research, we repurpose drugs with potential anti-cancer activity using machine learning (ML).

METHODS

We tackle the problem by using a neural network trained on drug-target interaction information enriched with drug-drug interaction information, which has not been used for anti-cancer drug repurposing before. We focus on eravacycline, an antibacterial drug, which was selected and evaluated to assess its anti-cancer effects.

RESULTS

Eravacycline significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of BxPC-3 cells and induced apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights the potential of drug repurposing for cancer treatment using ML. Eravacycline showed promising results in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, migration and inducing apoptosis in PDAC. These findings demonstrate that our developed ML drug repurposing models can be applied to a wide range of new oncology therapeutics, to identify potential anti-cancer agents. This highlights the potential and presents a promising approach for identifying new therapeutic options.

Integrative systems biology reveals NKG2A-biased immune responses correlate with protection in infectious disease, autoimmune disease, and cancer

Infection, autoimmunity, and cancer are principal human health challenges of the 21st century. Often regarded as distinct ends of the immunological spectrum, recent studies hint at potential overlap between these diseases. For example, inflammation can be pathogenic in infection and autoimmunity. T resident memory (TRM) cells can be beneficial in infection and cancer. However, these findings are limited by size and scope; exact immunological factors shared across diseases remain elusive. Here, we integrate large-scale deeply clinically and biologically phenotyped human cohorts of 526 patients with infection, 162 with lupus, and 11,180 with cancer. We identify an NKG2A+ immune bias as associative with protection against disease severity, mortality, and autoimmune/post-acute chronic disease. We reveal that NKG2A+ CD8+ T cells correlate with reduced inflammation and increased humoral immunity and that they resemble TRM cells. Our results suggest NKG2A+ biases as a cross-disease factor of protection, supporting suggestions of immunological overlap between infection, autoimmunity, and cancer.

BEYOND TRADITIONAL TOOLS: EXPLORING CONVOLUTIONAL NEURAL NETWORKS AS INNOVATIVE PROGNOSTIC MODELS IN PANCREATIC DUCTAL ADENOCARCINOMA

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive and lethal form of cancer with limited prognostic accuracy using traditional factors. This has led to the exploration of innovative prognostic models, including convolutional neural networks (CNNs), in PDAC. CNNs, a type of artificial intelligence algorithm, have shown promise in various medical applications, including image analysis and pattern recognition. Their ability to extract complex features from medical images makes them suitable for improving prognostication in PDAC. However, implementing CNNs in clinical practice poses challenges, such as data availability and interpretability. Future research should focus on multi-center studies, integrating multiple data modalities, and combining CNN outputs with biomarker panels. Collaborative efforts and patient autonomy should be considered to ensure the ethical implementation of CNN-based prognostic models. Further validation and optimisation of CNN-based models are necessary to enhance their reliability and clinical utility in PDAC prognostication.

BACKGROUND

•Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive cancer with limited prognostic accuracy through traditional methods.

BACKGROUND

•Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are being explored for prognostic models in PDAC.

BACKGROUND

•They can extract complex features from images, aiding PDAC prognostication.

BACKGROUND

•Further validation and optimization of CNN-based models are needed for better reliability and clinical utility in PDAC.

Group A streptococcal collagen-like protein 1 restricts tumor growth in murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma and inhibits cancer-promoting neutrophil extracellular traps

Introduction

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal cancer associated with an immunosuppressive environment. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) were initially described in the context of infection but have more recently been implicated in contributing to the tolerogenic immune response in PDAC. Thus, NETs are an attractive target for new therapeutic strategies. Group A Streptococcus (GAS) has developed defensive strategies to inhibit NETs.

Methods

In the present work, we propose utilizing intra-tumoral GAS injection to stimulate anti-tumor activity by inhibiting cancer-promoting NETs. Mice harboring Panc02 or KPC subcutaneous tumors injected with three different M-type GAS strains. Tumors and spleens were harvested at the endpoint of the experiments to assess bacterial colonization and systemic spread, while sera were analyzed for humoral responses toward the streptococcal antigens, especially the M1 and Scl1 proteins. Role of the streptococcal collagen-like protein 1 (Scl1) in anti-PDAC activity was assessed in vivo after intratumoral injection with M1 GAS wild-type, an isogenic mutant strain devoid of Scl1, or a complemented mutant strain with restored scl1 expression. In addition, recombinant Scl1 proteins were tested for NET inhibition using in vitro and ex vivo assays assessing NET production and myeloperoxidase activity.

Results

Injection of three different M-type GAS strains reduced subcutaneous pancreatic tumor volume compared to control in two different murine PDAC models. Limitation of tumor growth was dependent on Scl1, as isogenic mutant strain devoid of Scl1 did not reduce tumor size. We further show that Scl1 plays a role in localizing GAS to the tumor site, thereby limiting the systemic spread of bacteria and off-target effects. While mice did elicit a humoral immune response to GAS antigens, tested sera were weakly immunogenic toward Scl1 antigen following intra-tumoral treatment with Scl1-expressing GAS. M1 GAS inhibited NET formation when co-cultured with neutrophils while Scl1-devoid mutant strain did not. Recombinant Scl1 protein inhibited NETs ex vivo in a dose-dependent manner by suppressing myeloperoxidase activity.

Discussion

Altogether, we demonstrate that intra-tumoral GAS injections reduce PDAC growth, which is facilitated by Scl1, in part through inhibition of cancer promoting NETs. This work offers a novel strategy by which NETs can be targeted through Scl1 protein and potentiates its use as a cancer therapeutic.

Patient-Derived Microphysiological Systems for Precision Medicine

Patient-derived microphysiological systems (P-MPS) have emerged as powerful tools in precision medicine that provide valuable insight into individual patient characteristics. This review discusses the development of P-MPS as an integration of patient-derived samples, including patient-derived cells, organoids, and induced pluripotent stem cells, into well-defined MPSs. Emphasizing the necessity of P-MPS development, its significance as a nonclinical assessment approach that bridges the gap between traditional in vitro models and clinical outcomes is highlighted. Additionally, guidance is provided for engineering approaches to develop microfluidic devices and high-content analysis for P-MPSs, enabling high biological relevance and high-throughput experimentation. The practical implications of the P-MPS are further examined by exploring the clinically relevant outcomes obtained from various types of patient-derived samples. The construction and analysis of these diverse samples within the P-MPS have resulted in physiologically relevant data, paving the way for the development of personalized treatment strategies. This study describes the significance of the P-MPS in precision medicine, as well as its unique capacity to offer valuable insights into individual patient characteristics.

Undifferentiated sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pancreas-a single-institution experience with 23 cases

BACKGROUND

The clinical course and surgical outcomes of undifferentiated sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pancreas (USCP) remain poorly characterized owing to its rarity. This study aimed to describe the histology, clinicopathologic features, perioperative outcomes, and overall survival (OS) of 23 resected USCP patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively described the histology, clinicopathologic features, perioperative outcomes and OS of patients who underwent pancreatectomy with a final diagnosis of USCP in a single institution.

RESULTS

A total of 23 patients were included in this study. Twelve patients were male, the median age at diagnosis was 61.5 ± 13.0 years (range: 35-89). Patients with USCP had no specific symptoms and characteristic imaging findings. The R0 resection was achieved in 21 cases. The En bloc resection and reconstruction of mesenteric-portal axis was undertaken in 9 patients. There were no deaths attributed to perioperative complications in this study. The intraoperative tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) dissection was undergone in 14 patients. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 43.5%, 4.8% and 4.8% in the whole study, the median survival was 9.0 months. Only 1 patient had survived more than 5 years and was still alive at last follow-up. The presence of distant metastasis (p = 0.004) and the presence of pathologically confirmed mesenteric-portal axis invasion (p = 0.007) was independently associated with poor OS.

CONCLUSIONS

USCP was a rare subgroup of pancreatic malignancies with a bleak prognosis. To make a diagnose of USCP by imaging was quite difficult because of the absence of specific manifestations. Accurate diagnosis depended on pathological biopsy, and the IHC profile of USCP was mainly characterized by co-expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers. A large proportion of patients have an early demise, especially for patients with distant metastasis and pathologically confirmed mesenteric-portal axis invasion. Long-term survival after radical resection of USCPs remains rare.

Regulome-wide association study identifies genetically driven accessible regions associated with pancreatic cancer risk

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified two dozen genetic variants that are associated with the risk of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a deadly malignancy. However, a majority of these variants are located in noncoding regions of the genome, which limits the translation of GWAS findings into clinical applications. The regulome-wide association study (RWAS) is a recently developed method for identifying TF binding-induced accessibility regions for diseases. However, their potential connection to PDAC has yet to be fully explored. We evaluated the associations between genetically predicted levels of chromatin accessibility and risk of PDAC by using pan-cancer chromatin accessibility genetic prediction models. Our analysis included 8275 cases and 6723 controls from the PanScan (I, II, and III) and PanC4 consortia. To further refine our results, we also integrated genes associated to allele-specific accessibility quantitative trait loci (as-aQTL) and TF motifs located in the as-aQTL. We found that 50 chromatin accessibility features were associated with PDAC risk at a false discovery rate (FDR) of less than 0.05. A total of 28 RWAS peaks were identified as conditionally significant. By integrating the results from as-aQTL, motif analysis, and RWAS, we identified candidate causal regulatory elements for two potential chromatin accessibility regions (THCA_89956 and ESCA_89167) that are associated with PDAC risk. Our study identified chromatin accessibility features in noncoding genomic regions that are associated with PDAC risk. We also predicted the associated genes and disrupt motifs. Our findings provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of noncoding regions for pancreatic tumorigenesis.

Emerging Therapeutic Options in Pancreatic Cancer Management

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating disease with a 5-year survival rate of <8% [...].

Patient-Derived Models of Cancer in the NCI PDMC Consortium: Selection, Pitfalls, and Practical Recommendations

For over a century, early researchers sought to study biological organisms in a laboratory setting, leading to the generation of both in vitro and in vivo model systems. Patient-derived models of cancer (PDMCs) have more recently come to the forefront of preclinical cancer models and are even finding their way into clinical practice as part of functional precision medicine programs. The PDMC Consortium, supported by the Division of Cancer Biology in the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, seeks to understand the biological principles that govern the various PDMC behaviors, particularly in response to perturbagens, such as cancer therapeutics. Based on collective experience from the consortium groups, we provide insight regarding PDMCs established both in vitro and in vivo, with a focus on practical matters related to developing and maintaining key cancer models through a series of vignettes. Although every model has the potential to offer valuable insights, the choice of the right model should be guided by the research question. However, recognizing the inherent constraints in each model is crucial. Our objective here is to delineate the strengths and limitations of each model as established by individual vignettes. Further advances in PDMCs and the development of novel model systems will enable us to better understand human biology and improve the study of human pathology in the lab.

Group A Streptococcal Collagen-like Protein 1 Restricts Tumor Growth in Murine Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma and Inhibits Cancer-Promoting Neutrophil Extracellular Traps

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal cancer associated with an immunosuppressive environment. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) were initially described in the context of infection but have more recently been implicated in contributing to the tolerogenic immune response in PDAC. Thus, NETs are an attractive target for new therapeutic strategies. Group A Streptococcus (GAS) has developed defensive strategies to inhibit NETs. In the present work, we propose utilizing intra-tumoral GAS injection to stimulate anti-tumor activity by inhibiting cancer-promoting NETs. Injection of three different M-type GAS strains reduced subcutaneous pancreatic tumor volume compared to control in two different murine PDAC models. Limitation of tumor growth was dependent on streptococcal collagen-like protein 1 (Scl1), as isogenic mutant strain devoid of Scl1 did not reduce tumor size. We further show that Scl1 plays a role in localizing GAS to the tumor site, thereby limiting the systemic spread of bacteria and off-target effects. While mice did elicit a humoral immune response to GAS antigens, tested sera were negative toward Scl1 antigen following intra-tumoral treatment with Scl1-expressing GAS. M1 GAS inhibited NET formation when co-cultured with neutrophils while Scl1-devoid mutant strain did not. Recombinant Scl1 protein inhibited NETs ex vivo in a dose-dependent manner by suppressing myeloperoxidase activity. Altogether, we demonstrate that intra-tumoral GAS injections reduce PDAC growth, which is facilitated by Scl1, in part through inhibition of cancer promoting NETs. This work offers a novel strategy by which NETs can be targeted through Scl1 protein and potentiates its use as a cancer therapeutic.

Role of STAT3 in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer remains a serious and deadly disease, impacting people globally. There remain prominent gaps in the current understanding of the disease, specifically regarding the role of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family of proteins in pancreatic tumors. STAT proteins, particularly STAT3, play important roles in pancreatic cancer, especially pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which is the most prevalent histotype. The role of STAT3 across a continuum of molecular processes, such as PDAC tumorigenesis and progression, immune escape, drug resistance and stemness, and modulation of the tumor microenvironment (TME), are only a tip of the iceberg. In some ways, the role of STAT3 in PDAC may hold greater importance than that of oncogenic Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS). This makes STAT3 a highly attractive target for developing targeted therapies for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. In this review, the current knowledge of STAT3 in pancreatic cancer has been summarized, particularly relating to STAT3 activation in cancer cells, cells of the TME, and the state of targeting STAT3 in pre-clinical and clinical trials of PDAC.

Phase I/IIa Trial in Advanced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Treated with Cytotoxic Drug-Packaged, EGFR-Targeted Nanocells and Glycolipid-Packaged Nanocells

PURPOSE

We assessed the safety and efficacy of an EGFR-targeted, super-cytotoxic drug, PNU-159682-packaged nanocells with α-galactosyl ceramide-packaged nanocells (E-EDV-D682/GC) in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) who had exhausted all treatment options.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

ENG9 was a first-in-man, single-arm, open-label, phase I/IIa, dose-escalation clinical trial. Eligible patients had advanced PDAC, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status 0 to 1, and failed all treatments. Primary endpoints were safety and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Of 25 enrolled patients, seven were withdrawn due to rapidly progressive disease and one patient withdrew consent. All 25 patients were assessed for toxicity, 24 patients were assessed for OS, which was also assessed for 17 patients completing one treatment cycle [evaluable subset (ES)]. Nineteen patients (76.0%) experienced at least one treatment-related adverse event (graded 1 to 2) resolving within hours. There were no safety concerns, dose reductions, patient withdrawal, or treatment-related deaths.

Median OS (mOS) was 4.4 months; however, mOS of the 17 ES patients was 6.9 months [208 days; range, 83-591 days; 95.0% confidence interval (CI), 5.6-10.3 months] and mOS of seven patients who did not complete one cycle was 1.8 months (54 days; range, 21-72; 95.0% CI, 1.2-2.2 months). Of the ES, 47.1% achieved stable disease and one partial response. Ten subjects in the ES survived over 6 months, the longest 19.7 months. During treatments, 82.0% of the ES maintained stable weight.

CONCLUSIONS

E-EDV-D682/GC provided significant OS, minimal side effects, and weight stabilization in patients with advanced PDAC. Advanced PDAC can be safely treated with super-cytotoxic drugs via EnGeneIC Dream Vectors to overcome multidrug resistance.

Brightline-2: a phase IIa/IIb trial of brigimadlin (BI 907828) in advanced biliary tract cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or other solid tumors

Mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) is a key negative regulator of the tumor suppressor p53. Blocking the MDM2-p53 interaction, and restoring p53 function, is therefore a potential therapeutic strategy in MDM2-amplified, TP53 wild-type tumors. MDM2 is amplified in several tumor types, including biliary tract cancer (BTC), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), lung adenocarcinoma and bladder cancer, all of which have limited treatment options and poor patient outcomes. Brigimadlin (BI 907828) is a highly potent MDM2-p53 antagonist that has shown promising activity in preclinical and early-phase clinical studies. This manuscript describes the rationale and design of an ongoing phase IIa/IIb Brightline-2 trial evaluating brigimadlin as second-line treatment for patients with advanced/metastatic BTC, PDAC, lung adenocarcinoma, or bladder cancer.

ABCB1 overexpression through locus amplification represents an actionable target to combat paclitaxel resistance in pancreatic cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest types of cancer and the chemotherapies such as gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel are confronted with intrinsic or acquired resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate mechanisms underlying paclitaxel resistance in PDAC and explore strategies to overcome it.

METHODS

Three paclitaxel (PR) and gemcitabine resistant (GR) PDAC models were established. Transcriptomics and proteomics were used to identify conserved mechanisms of drug resistance. Genetic and pharmacological approaches were used to overcome paclitaxel resistance.

RESULTS

Upregulation of ABCB1 through locus amplification was identified as a conserved feature unique to PR cells. ABCB1 was not affected in any of the GR models and no cross resistance was observed. The ABCB1 inhibitor verapamil or siRNA-mediated ABCB1 depletion sensitized PR cells to paclitaxel and prevented efflux of ABCB1 substrates in all models. ABCB1 expression was associated with a trend towards shorter survival in patients who had received gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel treatment. A pharmacological screen identified known and novel kinase inhibitors that attenuate efflux of ABCB1 substrates and sensitize PR PDAC cells to paclitaxel.

CONCLUSION

Upregulation of ABCB1 through locus amplification represents a novel, conserved mechanism of PDAC paclitaxel resistance. Kinase inhibitors identified in this study can be further (pre) clinically explored as therapeutic strategies to overcome paclitaxel resistance in PDAC.

212Pb-Pretargeted Theranostics for Pancreatic Cancer

Although pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with limited treatment options and poor patient outcomes, targeted α-particle therapy (TAT) represents a promising development in the field. TAT shows potential in treating metastatic cancers, including those that have become resistant to conventional treatments. Among the most auspicious radionuclides stands the in vivo α-generator 212Pb. Combined with the imaging-compatible radionuclide 203Pb, this theranostic match is a promising modality rapidly translating into the clinic. Methods: Using the pretargeting approach between a radiolabeled 1,2,4,5-tetrazine (Tz) tracer and a trans-cyclooctene (TCO) modified antibody, imaging and therapy with radiolead were performed on a PDAC tumor xenograft mouse model. For therapy, 3 cohorts received a single administration of 1.1, 2.2, or 3.7 MBq of the pretargeting agent, [212Pb]Pb-DO3A-PEG7-Tz, whereby administered activity levels were guided by dosimetric analysis. Results: The treated mice were holistically evaluated; minimal-to-mild renal tubular necrosis was observed. At the same time, median survival doubled for the highest-dose cohort (10.7 wk) compared with the control cohort (5.1 wk). Conclusion: This foundational study demonstrated the feasibility and safety of pretargeted TAT with 212Pb in PDAC while considering dose limitations and potential adverse effects.

Therapy of Locally Advanced and Oligometastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a lethal disease, and surgical resection remains the only curative treatment option. Unfortunately, upon primary diagnosis, only 15-20% of all patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have localized disease that is eligible for operation. The remainder of patients either have borderline resectable or locally advanced disease or present with distant metastasis. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview regarding the current strategies and future directions in the multimodal therapy of locally advanced and oligometastasized pancreatic adenocarcinoma and discuss the benefit of surgery following neoadjuvant therapy in these patients.

Neutralization of p40 Homodimer and p40 Monomer Leads to Tumor Regression in Patient-Derived Xenograft Mice with Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive cancer with a high mortality rate and limited treatment options. It is the fourth leading cause of cancer in the US, and mortality is rising rapidly, with a 12% relative 5-year survival rate. Early diagnosis remains a challenge due to vague symptoms, lack of specific biomarkers, and rapid tumor progression. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a central cytokine that regulates innate (natural killer cells) and adaptive (cytokine T-lymphocytes) immunity in cancer. We demonstrated that serum levels of IL-12p40 homodimer (p402) and p40 monomer (p40) were elevated and that of IL-12 and IL-23 were lowered in pancreatic cancer patients compared to healthy controls. Comparably, human PDAC cells produced greater levels of p402 and p40 and lower levels of IL-12 and IL-23 compared to normal pancreatic cells. Notably, neutralization of p402 by mAb a3-1d and p40 by mAb a3-3a induced the death of human PDAC cells, but not normal human pancreatic cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that treatment of PDX mice with p402 mAb and p40 mAb resulted in apoptosis and tumor shrinkage. This study illustrates a new role of p402 and p40 monomer in pancreatic cancer, highlighting possible approaches against this deadly form of cancer with p402 and p40 monomer immunotherapies.

TRPV6 Channel Is Involved in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Aggressiveness and Resistance to Chemotherapeutics

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) stands as a highly aggressive and lethal cancer, characterized by a grim prognosis and scarce treatment alternatives. Within this context, TRPV6, a calcium-permeable channel, emerges as a noteworthy candidate due to its overexpression in various cancers, capable of influencing the cell behavior in different cancer entities. Nonetheless, the exact expression pattern and functional significance of TRPV6 in the context of PDAC remains enigmatic. This study scrutinizes the expression of TRPV6 in tissue specimens obtained from 46 PDAC patients across distinct stages and grades. We manipulated TRPV6 expression (knockdown, overexpression) in the human PDAC cell lines Panc-1 and Capan-1. Subsequently, we analyzed its impact on multiple facets, encompassing Ca2+ influx, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, chemoresistance, and tumor growth, both in vitro and in vivo. Notably, the data indicate a direct correlation between TRPV6 expression levels, tumor stage, and grade, establishing a link between TRPV6 and PDAC proliferation in tissue samples. Decreasing TRPV6 expression via knockdown hampered Ca2+ influx, resulting in diminished proliferation and viability in both cell lines, and cell cycle progression in Panc-1. The knockdown simultaneously led to an increase in apoptotic rates and increased the susceptibility of cells to 5-FU and gemcitabine treatments. Moreover, it accelerated migration and promoted collective movement among Panc-1 cells. Conversely, TRPV6 overexpression yielded opposing outcomes in terms of proliferation in Panc-1 and Capan-1, and the migration of Panc-1 cells. Intriguingly, both TRPV6 knockdown and overexpression diminished the process of tumor formation in vivo. This intricate interplay suggests that PDAC aggressiveness relies on a fine-tuned TRPV6 expression, raising its profile as a putative therapeutic target.

Liposomal nanostructures for Gemcitabine and Paclitaxel delivery in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an incurable disease with a high death rate in the world nowadays. Gemcitabine (GEM) and Paclitaxel (PTX) are considered as references of chemotherapeutic treatments and are commonly used in clinical applications. Factors related to the tumor microenvironment such as insufficient tumor penetration, toxicity, and drug resistance can limit the effectiveness of these therapeutic anticancer drugs. The use of different liposomal nanostructures is a way that can optimize the drug's effectiveness and reduce toxicity. Given the development of PC therapy, this review focuses on advances in Nano-formulation, characterization, and delivery systems of loaded GEM and PTX liposomes using chemotherapy, nucleic acid delivery, and stroma remodeling therapy. As a result, the review covers the literature dealing with the applications of liposomes in PC therapy.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) signaling pathways and cancer: foes versus allies

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), is an old system with new fundamental roles in cancer biology which influences cell growth, migration, death, and metastasis. RAAS signaling enhances cell proliferation in malignancy directly and indirectly by affecting tumor cells and modulating angiogenesis. Cancer development may be influenced by the balance between the ACE/Ang II/AT1R and the ACE2/Ang 1-7/Mas receptor pathways. The interactions between Ang II/AT1R and Ang I/AT2R as well as Ang1-7/Mas and alamandine/MrgD receptors in the RAAS pathway can significantly impact the development of cancer. Ang I/AT2R, Ang1-7/Mas, and alamandine/MrgD interactions can have anticancer effects while Ang II/AT1R interactions can be involved in the development of cancer. Evidence suggests that inhibitors of the RAAS, which are conventionally used to treat cardiovascular diseases, may be beneficial in cancer therapies.Herein, we aim to provide a thorough description of the elements of RAAS and their molecular play in cancer. Alongside this, the role of RAAS components in sex-dependent cancers as well as GI cancers will be discussed with the hope of enlightening new venues for adjuvant cancer treatment.