The Potential of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Advance the Treatment of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Advances in the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) using neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy have had minimal impact on the overall survival of patients. A general lack of immunogenic features and a complex tumor microenvironment (TME) are likely culprits for therapy refractoriness in PDAC. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) should be explored as a means to advance the treatment options for PDAC, by providing representative in vitro models of pancreatic cancer development. In addition, iPSCs could be used for tailor-made cellular immunotherapies or as a source of tumor-associated antigens in the context of vaccination.

Exploring the promising potential of induced pluripotent stem cells in cancer research and therapy

“…By studying these iPSC-derived cancer cells, researchers have gained valuable insights into the genetic and epigenetic alterations that contribute to tumor formation and progression. Moreover, iPSCs have been employed in cancer early detection strategies [ 36 ]. The ability to reprogram cancer cells into iPSCs allows for the identification of early molecular changes that occur during tumorigenesis [ 37 ].…”

“…This knowledge could potentially revolutionize cancer diagnostics, enabling early detection and intervention when the disease is most treatable. In addition to cancer modeling and early detection, iPSCs hold promise in the development of precision medicine approaches for cancer treatment [ 36 ]. By generating iPSCs from patients with different types of cancer, researchers can create a diverse library of cancer cell lines that reflect the heterogeneity of the disease.…”

“…Several studies have shown how diet and food availability affect the epigenome in humans and how these epigenetic changes may be involved in several diseases in adulthood. There is an association between folate intake in the diet and epigenetic status in mammals [ 34 ] and has been related to methylation changes in colon cancer [ 35 ] and hyperhomocysteinemia [ 36 ]. Moreover, pharmacological treatments including those used for epilepsy, bipolar disorder, serious depression, migraine, and schizophrenia, complementary treatment for latent HIV infection can also induce genome-wide epigenetic changes [ 37 ].…”

The Role of Krüppel-like Factors in Pancreatic Physiology and Pathophysiology

“…The current source of cell replacement for T1D patients with damaged β-cells is donor organs that are limited, irregular, and require lifelong immunosuppressive co-treatment to prevent transplant rejection [56]. Generating physiologically representative pancreatic cancer models using iPSCs may develop novel diagnostic and treatment strategies [57]. Moreover, regenerating β-cells from autologous in vitro reprogramming is an attractive method for restoring damaged islet cell mass in T1D patients [50].…”