Growth factors and cytokines in pancreatic carcinogenesis

Pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease challenging basic and clinical researchers alike in characterizing its pathobiology and finding better treatment options. A number of molecular alterations including gene, mutations such as k-rasi p53, and Smad4 and aberrant expression of a-variety-of genes have been identified in recent years. This review focuses: on two families of growth factors and growth factor receptors which are representative for the molecular alterations observed in pancreatic cancer: the transforming \growth factor-beta superfamily of serine-threonine kinase receptors. and their ligands, which usually act as negative growth regulators, and the epidermal growth fac- tor receptor family and their ligands, which have the potential to act as growth promoters in pancreatic cancer. In addition, we will discuss the role of the cytokines TMF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-6 and its effects on pancreatic cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo; Pancreatic cancer cell biology consists of complex interactions, of various factors,, and a better understanding df the molecular pathogenesis of this disorder might had to better treatment strategies in the near future.