Starting from the recent identification of CD36 and CD97 as a novel marker combination of fibroblast quiescence in lung during fibrosis, we aimed to survey the literature in search for facts about the separate (or concomitant) expression of clusters of differentiation CD36 and CD97 in either tumor- or pancreatic-cancer-associated cells. Here, we provide an account of the current knowledge on the diversity of the cellular functions of CD36 and CD97 and explore their potential (common) contributions to key cellular events in oncogenesis or metastasis development. Emphasis is placed on quiescence as an underexplored mechanism and/or potential target in therapy. Furthermore, we discuss intricate signaling mechanisms and networks involving CD36 and CD97 that may regulate different subpopulations of tumor-associated cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts, adipocyte-associated fibroblasts, tumor-associated macrophages, or neutrophils, during aggressive pancreatic cancer. The coexistence of quiescence and activated states in cancer-associated cell subtypes during pancreatic cancer should be better documented, in different histological forms. Remodeling of the local microenvironment may also change the balance between growth and dormant state. Taking advantage of the reported data in different other tissue types, we explore the possibility to induce quiescence (similar to that observed in normal cells), as a therapeutic option to delay the currently observed clinical outcome.
Keywords: CD36; CD97; cancer-associated fibroblasts; pancreatic cancer; pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC); quiescence.