title: Crosstalk between stromal cells and cancer cells in pancreatic cancer: New insights into stromal biology.
abstract: Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide. Increasing evidence has confirmed the pivotal role of stromal components in the regulation of carcinogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance in PC. Interaction between neoplastic cells and stromal cells builds a specific microenvironment, which further modulates the malignant properties of cancer cells. Instead of being a "passive bystander", stroma may play a role as a "partner in crime" in PC. However, the role of stromal components in PC is complex and requires further investigation. In this article, we review recent advances regarding the regulatory roles and mechanisms of stroma biology, especially the cellular components such as pancreatic stellate cells, macrophages, neutrophils, adipocytes, epithelial cells, pericytes, mast cells, and lymphocytes, in PC. Crosstalk between stromal cells and cancer cells is thoroughly investigated. We also review the prognostic value and molecular therapeutic targets of stroma in PC. This review may help us further understand the molecular mechanisms of stromal biology and its role in PC development and therapeutic resistance. Moreover, targeting stroma components may provide new therapeutic strategies for this stubborn disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, China.
authors.forename: Han-Xiang
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Zhan
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266003, China.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, China.
authors.forename: Yu-Gang
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, China.
authors.forename: Jian-Wei
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, China. Electronic address: guangyongzhang@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Guang-Yong
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, China. Electronic address: husanyuan1962@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: San-Yuan
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002450:Cell Communication; D015195:Drug Design; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D015398:Signal Transduction; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
keywords: Crosstalk; Pancreatic cancer; Stroma; Targeted therapy; Tumor microenvironment