Pancreatic cancer: pathogenesis, prevention and treatment

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2007 Nov 1;224(3):326-36. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2006.11.007. Epub 2006 Nov 11.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States with a very low survival rate of 5 years. To better design new preventive and/or therapeutic strategies for the fight against pancreatic cancer, the knowledge of the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer at the molecular level is very important. It has been known that the development and the progression of pancreatic cancer are caused by the activation of oncogenes, the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, and the deregulation of many signaling pathways among which the EGFR, Akt, and NF-kappaB pathways appear to be most relevant. Therefore, the strategies targeting EGFR, Akt, NF-kappaB, and their downstream signaling could be promising for the prevention and/or treatment of pancreatic cancer. In this brief review, we will summarize the current knowledge regarding the pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / pharmacology
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ErbB Receptors / immunology
  • ErbB Receptors / physiology
  • Gene Silencing
  • Genetic Therapy / methods
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / etiology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / immunology
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / physiology
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / physiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Receptor, ErbB-2