Claudin and pancreatic cancer

Due to the lack of timely and accurate screening modalities and treatments, most pancreatic cancer (PCa) patients undergo fatal PCa progression within a short period since diagnosis. The claudin(CLDN) family is expressed specifically as tight junction structure in a variety of tumors, including PCa, and affects tumor progression by changing the cell junctions. Thus far, many of the 27 members of the claudin family, including claudin-18.2 and claudin-4, have significantly aberrantly expression in pancreatic tumors. In addition, some studies have confirmed the role of some claudin proteins in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic tumors. By targeting different targets of claudin protein and combining chemotherapy, further enhance tumor cell necrosis and inhibit tumor invasion and metastasis. Claudins can either promote or inhibit the development of pancreatic cancer, which indicates that the diagnosis and treatment of different kinds of claudins require to consider different biological characteristics. This literature summarizes the functional characteristics and clinical applications of various claudin proteins in Pca cells, with a focus on claudin-18.2 and claudin-4.

Automated summary

Due to lack of timely and accurate screening methods and treatments, pancreatic cancer patients often experience rapid disease progression. The claudin family, specifically expressed in tight junctions of various tumors including pancreatic cancer, can affect tumor progression by altering cell junctions. Some members of the claudin family, such as claudin-18.2 and claudin-4, are significantly dysregulated in pancreatic tumors and have been implicated in diagnosis and treatment. Different targets of claudin proteins, combined with chemotherapy, can enhance tumor cell necrosis and inhibit invasion and metastasis. This literature review focuses on the functional characteristics and clinical applications of claudin proteins in pancreatic cancer cells, with particular attention to claudin-18.2 and claudin-4.