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01-12-2011 | Review

Pancreatic cancer stem cell biology and its therapeutic implications

Authors: Filip Bednar, Diane M. Simeone

Published in: Journal of Gastroenterology | Issue 12/2011

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most difficult malignancies to treat. Significant developments in our understanding of pancreatic cancer biology have occurred over the past decade. One of the key advances has been the formulation of the cancer stem cell model of tumor growth and subsequent experimental proof of pancreatic cancer stem cell existence. Cancer stem cells contribute to pancreatic tumor growth and progression and are at least partially responsible for the relative resistance of the tumor to systemic chemotherapy and radiation. Significant questions remain about how the mutational profile of the tumor, the tumor microenvironment, and normal pancreatic developmental pathways contribute to pancreatic cancer stem cell biology. Answers to these questions will likely yield new therapeutic approaches for this deadly disease.

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Title: Pancreatic cancer stem cell biology and its therapeutic implications
Authors: Filip Bednar
Diane M. Simeone
Publication date: 01-12-2011
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Journal of Gastroenterology / Issue 12/2011
Print ISSN: 0944-1174
Electronic ISSN: 1435-5922
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-011-0494-7

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