Endogenous systems involved in the development of pancreatic cancer: role of the obestatin/GPR39 system

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive neoplasms due to its rapid spread and late diagnosis. The objective of this thesis is to elucidate the obestatin/GPR39 potential as a therapeutic target in chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The expression of GPR39 found in normal pancreas indicates a possible regulatory and regenerative role for the obestatin/GPR39 system in the human pancreas. Likewise, the expression found in premalignant lesions could involve this system in the pathogenesis and progression to pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In addition, this system favours proliferative, invasive and tumoral settlement processes in immortalized cancer cell lines. These facts prompted us to postulate the use of GPR39 as a marker of tumoral progression and its applicability to antagonize the fundamental mechanisms associated with the development of pancreatic cancer.