The role of the signaling pathway FGF/FGFR in pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are signaling molecules with a wide range of actions that are involved in various processes in the body. Specifically for pancreas, FGFs are important for both organogenesis and carcinogenesis. They belong to the factors involved in the interaction between cancer and stromal cells representing a key component in the development of pancreatic cancer. Pathological changes in the FGF/FGFR signaling pathway is a complex process, which depends on type/isoforms of FGF receptors (FGFR) regulating the remodeling effect and subsequent activation of pancreatic cancer cells by FGF. FGFs and their receptors FGFR are considered as potential specific markers and putative targets for treatment of pancreatic cancer.