Protein kinase D enzymes: novel kinase targets in pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is characterized by advanced stage desmoplastic tumors with a high prevalence of genetic abnormalities. Occurrence of PDA is linked to activating Kras mutations and aberrant epidermal growth factor receptor signaling, leading to additional activation of wild-type Kras. As Kras is difficult to target, there is a constant need to identify novel targets acting downstream of this molecule in driving the formation or progression of PDA. Recently, it was shown that protein kinase D enzymes not only are increasingly expressed in PDA but also causatively linked to the development and progression of this cancer. They act downstream of both mutant Kras and growth factors and therefore may represent ideal novel targets.

Keywords:

• acinar-to-ductal metaplasia
• isoforms
• pancreatic cancer
• protein kinase D

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors were supported by the National Institutes of Health (Grant Number: R01 CA140182). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.