The Two “Faces” of Collagen in Pancreatic Cancer Fibrosis (IMAGE)

Okayama University

The Two “Faces” of Collagen in Pancreatic Cancer Fibrosis

Caption

Collagen plays dual roles in pancreatic cancer: as a physical fiber that obstructs macromolecular drug delivery, and as a bioactive signaling molecule that activates discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) and drives a vicious fibrotic cycle. By blocking DDR1 signaling, researchers from Okayama and Tohoku Universities demonstrated improved drug penetration and reduced fibrosis, uncovering a new pathway for therapeutic intervention.

Credit

Dr. Hiroyoshi Y. Tanaka and Professor Mitsunobu R. Kano from Okayama University, Japan

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