Abstract

OBJECTIVE:This review focuses on the state-of-the-art ofCXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis in pancreatic cancer and its role in tumorprogression.

DATASOURCES: Relevant articles published in Englishwere identified by searching in Pubmed from 1997 to 2013, with keywords"CXCL12", "CXCR4" and "pancreatic cancer".Important references from selected articles were also retrieved.

STUDYSELECTION: Articles about CXCL12/CXCR4 signalingaxis in pancreatic cancer and relevant mechanisms were selected.

RESULTS:Pancreatic cancer has been one of the most lethalhuman malignancies, with median survival less than one year and overall 5-yearsurvival only 6%. Tumor cells from pancreatic cancer express high level ofCXCR4. CXCL12, the ligand for CXCR4, is extensively secreted by neighboringstromal cells and other distant organs. CXCL12 primarily binds to CXCR4,induces intracellular signaling through several divergent pathways, which areinvolved in progression and metastasis of pancreatic cancer.

CONCLUSIONS:CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis may play an importantrole in the communication between pancreatic cancer cells and theirmicroenvironment, which may have effect on tumor proliferation, invasion,angiogenesis, metastasis and chemoresistance. CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis mayserves as a novel therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.