The role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and autophagy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma invasion

Jian Yang; Ying Liu; Shi Liu

doi:10.1038/s41419-023-06032-3

The role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and autophagy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma invasion

Cell Death Dis. 2023 Aug 7;14(8):506. doi: 10.1038/s41419-023-06032-3.

Authors

Jian Yang¹, Ying Liu², Shi Liu³

Affiliations

¹ Central Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, 161000, Heilongjiang Province, P.R. China.
² Department of Medical Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, 161000, Heilongjiang Province, P.R. China.
³ Central Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, 161000, Heilongjiang Province, P.R. China. shiliu2199@163.com.

Abstract

Of all pancreatic cancer (PC) cases, approximately 90% are pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which progress rapidly due to its high degree of invasiveness and high metastatic potential. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a prerequisite for cancer cell invasion and spread, and it is mediated by the specific cellular behaviors and the tumor microenvironment. Autophagy has long been a target of cancer therapy, and it has been considered to play a dual and contradictory role, particularly regarding EMT-mediated PDAC invasion. This review discusses the characteristics and the biological role of EMT and autophagy from a cellular perspective, explaining invasion as a survival behavior of PDAC, with the aim of providing novel insights into targeting EMT and autophagy to overcome PDAC invasion.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Autophagy / genetics
Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / genetics
Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / pathology
Cell Line, Tumor
Cell Movement
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics
Humans
Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
Pancreatic Neoplasms* / genetics
Pancreatic Neoplasms* / pathology
Tumor Microenvironment