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Updated: Feb 26, 2026

Author Spotlight: Reprogramming Cancer Cells to iPSCs to Study Disease Progression and Treatment Targets
Published on: February 2, 2024
Molecular Events in the Natural History of Pancreatic Cancer
Leslie E Oldfield1, Ashton A Connor2, Steven Gallinger2
1PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Abstract:
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the deadliest epithelial malignancies. Improvements in our understanding of PDAC carcinogenesis will hopefully improve its detection, management, and outcomes, as has been achieved with other malignancies. Here we review the literature on the natural history of PDAC, including its cell of origin, the initiating somatic mutational events, pathways deranged in the mature tumor, its biological heterogeneity, and the relationship of the primary tumor with metastases. We also suggest areas for further research and highlight translatable findings that are beginning to make clinical inroads.
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