Thymosin beta-10 is aberrantly expressed in pancreatic cancer and induces JNK activation.

Thymosin beta-10 (T beta 10) has been shown to be associated with several cancers; however, its role in pancreatic cancer is not understood. The expression of T beta 10 was determined by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The phosphorylation of JNK and the cytokine secretion was determined by using the Bio-Plex phosphoprotein and cytokines assays.

Interleukin-8 increases vascular endothelial growth factor and neuropilin expression and stimulates ERK activation in human pancreatic cancer.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is associated with tumorigenesis by promoting angiogenesis and metastasis. Although up-regulation of IL-8 is indicated in many cancers, its function in pancreatic cancer has not been well characterized. In this study we examined the expression of IL-8 on pancreatic cancer cells and clinical tissue specimens, and investigated the effect of exogenous IL-8 on gene expression, and signaling in human pancreatic cancer cells.

Thymosin Beta 4 is overexpressed in human pancreatic cancer cells and stimulates proinflammatory cytokine secretion and JNK activation.

Background: Thymosin beta 4 (T beta 4) has been shown to be associated with tumor metastasis and angiogenesis; however, its role in pancreatic cancer has not been understood. In the current study, we examined the expression of T beta 4 in pancreatic cancer cells, and determined the effect of exogenous T beta 4 on cytokine secretion, and signal transduction in human pancreatic cancer cells.

Results: Pancreatic cancer cell lines expressed higher amount of T beta 4 mRNA than normal human pancreatic ductal epithelium (HPDE) cells.

IL-6 stimulates Th2 type cytokine secretion and upregulates VEGF and NRP-1 expression in pancreatic cancer cells.

Background: Although upregulation of interleukin-6 (IL-6) is associated with many solid tumors, its role in pancreatic cancer has not been well elucidated. In this study, we examined the expression of IL-6 in pancreatic cancer cells, and determined the effect of exogenous IL-6 on cytokine secretion, gene expression and signaling in human pancreatic cancer cells.

Methods: The mRNA levels of IL-6, VEGF165, neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) and neuropilin-2 (NRP-2) were determined by real-time RT PCR.

Current update of cytokines in pancreatic cancer: pathogenic mechanisms, clinical indication, and therapeutic values.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death with a 5-year survival less than 5 percent despite rigorous interventions. This largely is due to its late presentation, aggressive metastasis, and a lack of effective adjuvant therapies. Cytokines have been studied in many tumor types, where they have been shown to be an important influence in cancer cell behavior and to have potential as tumor markers, therapeutic targets, or as treatments themselves.

Thymosinalpha1 stimulates cell proliferation by activating ERK1/2, JNK, and increasing cytokine secretion in human pancreatic cancer cells.

In this study, we investigated the expression and function of thymosinalpha1 (Thyalpha1) in human pancreatic cancer. We found that human pancreatic cancer cell lines Panc-1, Panc03.27, ASPC-1, and PL45 cells significantly over-expressed the mRNA of Thyalpha1 as compared to the normal human pancreatic ductal epithelium (HPDE) cells.