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Updated: Mar 13, 2026
An Orthotopic Resectional Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer
Published on: September 24, 2020
The rationale for targeting nectin-4 in pancreatic cancer
Sarah Cronjaeger1, Lena Seifert2, Adrian M Seifert3
1Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.
Abstract:
Nectin-4 is an immunoglobulinlike cell adhesion molecule that contributes to tumor aggressiveness and immune evasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Its high and selective expression on pancreatic cancer cells, together with the clinical efficacy of nectin-4-targeted antibody-drug conjugates in other solid tumors, establishes nectin-4 as a compelling therapeutic target in PDAC.
Insights
Nectin-4 promotes pancreatic cancer aggressiveness and immune evasion. Targeting nectin-4 with antibody-drug conjugates is a promising therapeutic strategy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Nectin-4 is an immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecule.
- Nectin-4 contributes to tumor aggressiveness and immune evasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish nectin-4 as a therapeutic target in PDAC.
- To evaluate the potential of nectin-4-targeted therapies for PDAC.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of nectin-4 expression in PDAC.
- Review of clinical efficacy of nectin-4-targeted antibody-drug conjugates in other solid tumors.
Main Results:
- Nectin-4 is highly and selectively expressed on pancreatic cancer cells.
- Nectin-4-targeted antibody-drug conjugates have shown clinical efficacy in other solid tumors.
Conclusions:
- Nectin-4 is a compelling therapeutic target for PDAC due to its selective expression and the success of targeted therapies.
- Targeting nectin-4 offers a promising strategy for treating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
