TURKISH JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY
2025 , Vol 40 , Num 3
Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Cell Interplay in Pancreatic Cancer
1İstanbul Aydın University, Medical Laboratory Techniques, İstanbul-Türkiye
DOI :
10.5505/tjo.2025.4499
The unique tumor microenvironment (TME) of pancreatic cancer, one of the most deadly cancers, promotes
immune evasion and immunosuppressive remodeling of the TME, contributing to tumor invasion,
metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Immune cells that play complex roles in this environment,
often creating a highly immunosuppressive environment, include tumor-associated macrophages
(TAMs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), regulatory T cells (Tregs), cytotoxic T lymphocytes
(CTLs), natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and B cells. The gut microbiota plays a
crucial role in regulating the differentiation, activation, and function of these immune cells through
metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids and signaling pathways like NF-κB and JAK-STAT. Dysbiosis,
characterized by an imbalance in microbial populations, exacerbates immune suppression. It increases
Tregs, MDSCs, and TAM polarization while decreasing CTL and NK cell activity. On the other hand, a
balanced microbiome can enhance anti-tumor immunity, improving treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.
This article provides a review of recent findings that highlight the complex relationships between
immune cells and the microbiota in the pancreatic cancer TME, as well as the dual roles of these cells
as both mediators of tumor progression and potential therapeutic targets. Novel approaches to treating
pancreatic cancer are made possible by a promising strategy for reprogramming the immune microenvironment
through modulation of the gut microbiota.
Keywords :
Immune cells; microbiome; pancreatic cancer; tumor microenvironment