ObjectiveTo summarize the biological function of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in tumor progression, and its roles in clinical diagnosis and treatment in recent years. MethodsLiteratures about the recent studies on molecular structure of EMMPRIN and biological function in tumor progression were reviewed according to the results searched from PubMed database. ResultsEMMPRIN play important roles in the tumor progression, involved in inducing the degradation of extracellula matrix, promoting angiogenesis, inhibiting apoptosis, enhancing chemoresistance and so on. ConclusionEMMPRIN could be a potential therapeutic target in turmor.
ObjectiveTo review the recent advances in the pancreatic cancer stem cells field and identify the research trend in future. MethodsCurrent literatures on pancreatic cancer stem cells were collected and reviewed. ResultsPancreatic cancer was a highly lethal disease and was usually diagnosed at a late stage, for which there were few effective therapies. Emerging evidence had suggested that pancreatic cancer cells proposed a heterogeneous organization. A subpopulation of stem celllike cells sustains tumor growth, propagation, metastasis, and resistance to standard chemotherapy. Cancer stem cells were identified based on their expression of different sets of cell surface markers and functional characteristics. Some important signaling pathways which maintain self-renewal and metastasis were upregulated in pancreatic cancer stem cells. ConclusionsCurrent findings clearly suggest that specific elimination of cancer stem cells is possible and therapeutically relevant. An improved understanding of the biological behavior of such cells may lead to the development of novel diagnosis and treatment regimens for pancreatic cancer.