Biology and Function of Tumor Stroma and Exosomes in Cancer

Tumors contain many different host cell types and non-cellular constituents such as ECM, apart from cancer cells. The central goal of our laboratory is to evaluate the functional role of these non-cancer cells/constituents in cancer progression and metastasis. Cancer progression significantly depends on the influence of many different host cells on the genetically unstable cancer cells. Whether such host responses are recruited to control cancer progression or further aid in tumor growth (or both) is still unclear. Additionally, chronic tissue fibrosis involves fibroblast activation and inflammation that leads to deposition of type I collagen and eventual organ failure. There is a strong experimental and clinical correlation between tissue fibrosis and incidence of cancer. But it remains unclear how fibrosis may contribute to the emergence of cancer. This lecture will highlight the functional role of mesenchymal cells in tumor immunity in PDAC. Additionally, the utility of exosomes in diagnosis and treatment of PDAC will be discussed.