The burning question: why is smoking a risk factor for pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive disease. The prognosis is poor; less than 5% of those diagnosed are still alive five years after diagnosis, and complete remission is still rare. Tobacco smoking is a major risk factor of pancreatic cancer. However, the mechanism(s) through which it causes the disease remains unknown. Accumulating evidence indicates that carcinogenic compounds in cigarette smoke stimulate pancreatic cancer progression through induction of inflammation and fibrosis which act in concert with genetic factors leading to the inhibition of cell death and stimulation of proliferation resulting in the promotion of the PDAC.
Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, University of California Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA.
Stephen J
SJ
Pandol
Minoti V
MV
Apte
Jeremy S
JS
Wilson
Anna S
AS
Gukovskaya
Mouad
M
Edderkaoui
D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens; D021441:Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012906:Smoke / Q000032:analysis; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014026:Nicotiana
D002273:Carcinogens; D012906:Smoke