Disruption of WNT/Notch signaling in pancreatic cancer reveals tumors depend on the intricate equilibrium of malignant cell states - PubMed
4 hours ago
- #Pancreatic cancer
- #WNT/Notch signaling
- #Tumor heterogeneity
- Disruption of WNT/Notch signaling in pancreatic cancer affects tumor growth and metastasis.
- Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) organizes in a pattern where WNT-responding cells (WNT-R) neighbor WNT-secreting cells (WNT-S).
- The WNT-R state is transient and gives rise to a stable WNT-S state.
- A subset of WNT-S cells expressing DLL1 forms a functional niche for WNT-R cells.
- Genetic inactivation of WNT secretion or Notch pathway components disrupts PDAC tissue organization.
- Human PDAC tissues show conservation of these cell populations.
- PDAC growth depends on an equilibrium of distinct cancer cell states.
- The study reveals principles of solid tumor organization and potential therapeutic opportunities.