An antibody-drug conjugate targeting soluble and membrane-bound TGFα is effective against pancreatic tumors.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult to treat neoplasias. Because of that, the prognosis of the disease is dismal, and identification of novel therapeutic approaches is needed. This study investigates the role of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFα) in pancreatic cancer and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Methods

Using in silico platforms, it was confirmed that TGFA, the gene encoding TGFα, is significantly overexpressed in pancreatic adenocarcinomas relative to normal pancreatic tissues. In patient-derived xenografts as well as in pancreatic cancer cell lines, multiple molecular forms of TGFα were identified, including the transmembrane TGFα precursor (proTGFα) and the soluble 6 kDa mature form. Functional assays using RNA interference and CRI

SUBMITTER: Romero-Perez I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12100920 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature