Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: // Nancy D. Ebelt 1 , Vic Zamloot 1 and Edwin R. Manuel 1 1 Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA Correspondence to: Edwin R. Manuel, email: [email protected] Keywords: pancreatic cancer; desmoplasia; fibrosis; hyaluronan; collagen Received: June 22, 2020 Accepted: August 26, 2020 Published: September 22, 2020 ABSTRACT Pancreatic cancer is considered one of the most lethal cancers in the US. It contributes to an estimated 47,000 deaths annually and is predicted to surpass prostate, breast and colorectal cancers as the leading cause of cancer-related death. Although major advancements in cancer treatment have improved outcomes for many cancer types, survival rate for pancreatic cancer has not improved in nearly four decades despite tremendous effort. One attribute of pancreatic cancer that is considered a major barrier to effective treatment is the formation of fibrotic tissue around tumor cells known as desmoplasia. A number of promising approaches have been developed to deplete fibrotic components in pancreatic tumors to enhance drug delivery, some of which have been tested in clinical trials of advanced, unresectable pancreatic cancer. Here, we discuss previous efforts, shortcomings and new considerations for developing more effective agents to eliminate desmoplasia.
Source: Oncotarget
Authors: Nancy D. Ebelt, Vic Zamloot, Edwin R. Manuel
Institution: Beckman Research Institute
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W3088219296