Role of pancreatic stellate cells in chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is highly chemoresistant. A major contributing factor is the characteristic extensive stromal or fibrotic reaction, which comprises up to 90% of the tumor volume. Over the last decade there has been intensive research into the role of the pro-fibrogenic pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and their interaction with pancreatic cancer cells. As a result of the significant alterations in the tumor microenvironment following activation of PSCs, tumor progression, and chemoresistance is enhanced. This review will discuss how PSCs contribute to chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer.
Tumour Biology and Targeting Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children's Cancer Institute Australia, University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW, Australia ; Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Joshua A
JA
McCarroll
Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Stephanie
S
Naim
Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW, Australia.
George
G
Sharbeen
Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Nelson
N
Russia
Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Julia
J
Lee
Tumour Biology and Targeting Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children's Cancer Institute Australia, University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW, Australia ; Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Maria
M
Kavallaris
Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW, Australia.
David
D
Goldstein
Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Phoebe A
PA
Phillips
chemoresistance; fibrosis; hypoxia; pancreatic cancer; pancreatic stellate cells; stroma