Defensin-Rich Platelets Drive Pro-Tumorigenic Programs in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive and lethal malignancies, driven by late diagnosis, limited therapeutic options, and high metastatic potential. Beyond their canonical roles in hemostasis, platelets have emerged as active modulators of tumor progression and promising noninvasive biomarkers. Among platelet-associated molecules, α-defensins, particularly Defensin Alpha 1/3 (DEFA1/3), have been implicated in inflammation and immunity; however, their contribution to PDAC pathogenesis remains unclear. We combined bioinformatic analysis of platelet transcriptomes with functional and in vivo zebrafish xenograft validation to investigate the impact of DEFA1/3 on PDAC aggressiveness. DEFA1/3 was significantly upregulated in PDAC-derived plate

SUBMITTER: Gonzalez-Ruiz J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12652293 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature