Signaling pathways in pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is, indisputably, one of the most malignant gastrointestinal tumors. Although the etiology of this disease is unknown, it is clearly linked to alterations in the biologic activities of various signaling molecules. Aberrant signaling activities of growth factors and their receptors, transcription factors, and proteins that control the cell cycle have been increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis and dissemination of pancreatic tumors. It is indeed possible that several of these molecules are, in fact, part of a signaling network that has gone awry. This review summarizes some recent advances in an attempt to generate a working model for future investigations.
Reddy
S A
SA
Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor / Q000502:physiology; D011905:Genes, ras; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics*; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D006133:Growth Substances; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors