S100 Proteins in Pancreatic Cancer: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

• Main Authors: Yu Wu, Qi Zhou, Fangyue Guo, Mingming Chen, Xufeng Tao, Deshi Dong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2021-08-01
• Series: Frontiers in Oncology
• Subjects: S100 proteins; pancreatic cancer; biomarkers; mechanisms; therapeutic targets
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2021.711180/full

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly malignant tumor occurring in the digestive system. Currently, there is a lack of specific and effective interventions for PC; thus, further exploration regarding the pathogenesis of this malignancy is warranted. The S100 protein family, a collection of calcium-binding proteins expressed only in vertebrates, comprises 25 members with high sequence and structural similarity. Dysregulated expression of S100 proteins is a biomarker of cancer progression and prognosis. Functionally, these proteins are associated with the regulation of multiple cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, growth, differentiation, enzyme activation, migration/invasion, Ca2+ homeostasis, and energy metabolism. This review highlights the significance of the S100 family in the diagnosis and prognosis of PC and its vital functions in tumor cell metastasis, invasion and proliferation. A further understanding of S100 proteins will provide potential therapeutic targets for preventing or treating PC.