The hepatic pre-metastatic niche in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most aggressive malignancies to date, largely because it is associated with high metastatic risk. Pancreatic tumors have a characteristic tendency to metastasize preferentially to the liver. Over the past two decades, it has become evident that the otherwise hostile milieu of the liver is selectively preconditioned at an early stage to render it more conducive to the engraftment and growth of disseminated cancer cells, a concept defined as pre-metastatic niche (PMN) formation.

Patched-2 functions to limit Patched-1 deficient skin cancer growth.

Purpose: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of the most common skin cancers, and is typically driven by an aberrantly activated Hedgehog (Hh) pathway. The Hh pathway is regulated by interactions between the Patched-1 (Ptch1) and Smoothened (Smo) receptors. Smo is an activating receptor and is subject to inhibition by Ptch1.

Turning Cold Tumors Hot by Blocking TGF-β.

Novel immune therapeutic tools are rapidly expanding the anticancer arsenal. Despite this progress, patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) that spreads to vital parts of the body still have a dismal outcome. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays a pivotal role in the development of CRC and metastasis.

Molecular subtyping of cancer: current status and moving toward clinical applications.

Cancer is a collection of genetic diseases, with large phenotypic differences and genetic heterogeneity between different types of cancers and even within the same cancer type. Recent advances in genome-wide profiling provide an opportunity to investigate global molecular changes during the development and progression of cancer. Meanwhile, numerous statistical and machine learning algorithms have been designed for the processing and interpretation of high-throughput molecular data.

Epigenetic regulation of the Hedgehog and Wnt pathways in cancer.

The Hedgehog (Hh) and wingless-Int1 (Wnt) pathways are important for tissue patterning in the developing embryo. In adult tissue, both pathways are typically dormant but are activated under certain conditions such as tissue damage. Aberrant activation of these pathways by mutations in key pathway regulators contributes to the genesis and progression of several cancer types.

Skin-Derived Vitamin D Protects against Basal Cell Carcinoma.

UVR in sunlight causes mutations that drive basal cell carcinomas. However, the incidence of these tumors plateaus with prolonged exposure, but the incidence of other skin cancers increases. Makarova et al.