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Published on: September 24, 2020
CXCR2: a target for pancreatic cancer treatment?
Kathleen M Hertzer1, Graham W Donald, O Joe Hines
1Hirshberg Translational Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Department of Surgery , 675 Charles E Young Drive, MRL 2535, Los Angeles, CA 90095 , USA.
Introduction:
Pancreatic cancer, a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, is very aggressive and has minimally effective treatment options. For those who have no surgical options, medical treatments are limited. The chemokine receptor CXCR2 has become the subject of much interest recently because of multiple studies indicating its involvement in cancer and inflammatory conditions. Research now indicates that CXCR2 and its ligands are intimately involved in tumor regulation and growth and that inhibition of its function shows promising results in multiple cancer types, including pancreatic cancer.
Areas Covered:
In this study, the authors review basic molecular and structural details of CXCR2, as well as the known functions of CXCR2 and several of its ligands in inflammation and cancer biology with specific attention to pancreatic cancer. Then the future possibilities and questions remaining for pharmacological intervention against CXCR2 in pancreatic cancer are explored.
Expert Opinion:
Many current inhibitory strategies already exist for targeting CXCR2 in vitro as well as in vivo. Clinically speaking, CXCR2 is an exciting potential target for pancreatic cancer; however, CXCR2 is functionally important for multiple processes and therapeutic options would benefit from further work toward understanding of these roles as well as structural and target specificity.
Insights
Pancreatic cancer treatments are limited. Targeting the chemokine receptor CXCR2 shows promise for inhibiting tumor growth and offers a potential new therapeutic strategy for this aggressive cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Pancreatic cancer is a deadly, aggressive malignancy with limited therapeutic options.
- The chemokine receptor CXCR2 is implicated in cancer and inflammatory diseases.
- CXCR2 and its ligands play a role in tumor regulation and growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review CXCR2's molecular details and functions in cancer.
- To explore CXCR2's role specifically in pancreatic cancer.
- To examine future therapeutic interventions targeting CXCR2.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of CXCR2's basic molecular and structural properties.
- Analysis of CXCR2's known functions in inflammation and cancer biology.
- Exploration of pharmacological intervention strategies for pancreatic cancer.
Main Results:
- CXCR2 inhibition demonstrates potential in various cancer types.
- CXCR2 plays a significant role in pancreatic tumor regulation and growth.
- Existing in vitro and in vivo inhibitory strategies for CXCR2 are available.
Conclusions:
- CXCR2 is a promising therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.
- Further research is needed to understand CXCR2's complex roles.
- Developing specific CXCR2 inhibitors requires understanding its functions and target specificity.
