Hedgehog signaling pathway and pancreatic cancer

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is critical for embryonic development and in differentiation, proliferation, and maintenance of multiple adult tissues. Deregulation of the Hh pathway is associated with Multiple pathological steps of PDAC (Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma) . A prominent desmoplastic stromal reaction is the pathological hallmark of PDAC,it contributes to the formation of the hypovascular and hypoxic microenvironment of PDAC. And Hedgehog signaling is one of the most crucial pathways that maintains and activates the stroma. Clinical trials of Hedgehog signaling inhibitors in treatment of PDAC has been conducted,but results have been disappointing. Recently, to undercover the reason of the failure of clinical trial,more work has been done to uncovering the underlying role of stroma in PDAC. Key words: Hedgehog signaling pathway; Pancreatic cancer; Tumor microenvironment