Open AccessTargeting of promising transmembrane proteins for diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Author(s) -
Vida Mashayekhi,
Orsola Mocellin,
Marcel H.A.M. Fens,
Gerard C. Krijger,
Lodewijk A.A. Brosens,
Sabrina Oliveira
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
theranostics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.689
H-Index - 97
ISSN - 1838-7640
DOI - 10.7150/thno.60350
Subject(s) - folfirinox , pancreatic cancer , gemcitabine , transmembrane protein , pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma , medicine , cancer research , targeted therapy , cancer , bioinformatics , oncology , biology , receptor , oxaliplatin , colorectal cancer
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most fatal types of cancer due to the relatively late diagnosis and the limited therapeutic options. Current treatment regimens mainly comprise the cytotoxic agents gemcitabine and FOLFIRINOX. These compounds have shown limited efficacy and severe side effects, highlighting the necessity for earlier detection and the development of more effective, and better-tolerated treatments. Although targeted therapies are promising for the treatment of several types of cancer, identification of suitable targets for early diagnosis and targeted therapy of PDAC is challenging. Interestingly, several transmembrane proteins are overexpressed in PDAC cells that show low expression in healthy pancreas and may therefore serve as potential targets for treatment and/or diagnostic purposes. In this review we describe the 11 most promising transmembrane proteins, carefully selected after a thorough literature search. Favorable features and potential applications of each target, as well as the results of the preclinical and clinical studies conducted in the past ten years, are discussed in detail.