Publications by authors named "C Heeschen"
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly metastatic and lethal disease. Gasdermins are primarily associated with necrosis via membrane permeabilization and pyroptosis, a lytic pro-inflammatory type of cell death. In this study, GSDMC upregulation during PDAC progression is reported.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: We have previously demonstrated the significant reliance of pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells (PaCSCs) on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), which enables versatile substrate utilization, including fatty acids (FAs). Notably, dysregulated lipid scavenging and aberrant FA metabolism are implicated in PDAC progression.
Methods & Results: Our bioinformatics analyses revealed elevated expression of lipid metabolism-related genes in PDAC tissue samples compared to normal tissue samples, which correlated with a stemness signature.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) poses significant clinical challenges, often presenting as unresectable with limited biopsy options. Here, we show that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) offer a promising alternative, serving as a "liquid biopsy" that enables the generation of in vitro 3D models and highly aggressive in vivo models for functional and molecular studies in advanced PDAC. Within the retrieved CTC pool (median 65 CTCs/5 mL), we identify a subset (median content 8.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe advent of liquid biopsies has brought significant changes to the diagnosis and monitoring of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), presenting both promise and challenges. Molecularly targeted drugs, capable of enhancing survival rates, are now available to around a quarter of NSCLC patients. However, to ensure their effectiveness, precision diagnosis is essential.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study focuses on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and how cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to its aggressive nature and resistance to therapies, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors.
- Researchers used a mouse model and primary tumor cell lines to identify CSC populations and their immune evasion strategies, discovering that the gene peptidoglycan recognition protein 1 (PGLYRP1) is significantly overexpressed in these cells.
- The findings suggest PGLYRP1 plays a key role in helping CSCs evade immune responses, highlighting its potential as a new target for immunotherapy in PDAC patients.