Signaling pathways in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is, indisputably, one of the most malignant gastrointesti nal tumors. Although the etiology of this disease is unknown, it is clearly linked to alterations in the biologic activities of various signaling mole cules. Aberrant signaling activities of growth factors and their receptors, transcription factors, and proteins that control the cell cycle have been increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis and dissemination of pancreatic tumors. It is indeed possible that several of these molecules are, in fact , part of a signaling network that has gone awry. This review summarizes so me recent advances in an attempt to generate a working model for future inv estigations.