Inhibitor of DNA binding/differentiation proteins as IDs for pancreatic cancer: Role in pancreatic cancer initiation, development and prognosis

A family of inhibitors of cell differentiation or DNA-binding proteins, known as ID proteins (ID1-4), function as mighty transcription factors in various cellular processes, such as inhibiting differentiation, promoting cell-cycle progression, senescence, angiogenesis, tumorigenesis, and metastasis in cancer. Pancreatic cancer represents the deadliest cancer with the lowest survival rate of 10% due to the diagnosis at an advanced fatal stage and therapeutic resistance. Modestly, the only curative option for this lethal cancer is surgery but is done in less than 15-20% of patients because of the locally aggressive and early metastatic nature. Finding the earliest biomarkers and targeting the various hallmarks of pancreatic cancer can improve the treatment and survival of pancreatic cancer patients. Therefore, herein in this review, we explore in depth the potential roles of ID proteins function in hallmarks of pancreatic cancer, signaling pathways, and its oncogenic and tumor-suppressive effects. Hence, understanding the roles of dysregulated ID proteins would provide new insights into its function in pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis.

Automated summary

ID proteins, a family of cell differentiation inhibitors or DNA-binding proteins, function as powerful transcription factors in various cellular processes, including inhibiting differentiation, promoting cell-cycle progression, senescence, angiogenesis, tumorigenesis, and metastasis in pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest cancer with the lowest survival rate of 10% due to its advanced fatal stage diagnosis and therapeutic resistance. Surgery is currently the only curative option, but it is only performed in a minority of patients due to the aggressive nature of the cancer. Therefore, identifying early biomarkers and targeting the hallmarks of pancreatic cancer can improve treatment and survival. This review explores the potential roles of ID proteins in pancreatic cancer and their effects, providing new insights into tumorigenesis mechanisms.