Reprogramming tumor microenvironment could improve prospects for treatment of pancreatic cancer

by Leonie Kroll, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Robert Egan

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Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancers. One reason for its resistance to therapy is the dense tissue surrounding the tumor that acts as a protective barrier and suppresses the immune response. It is a complex tissue made of supporting cells, blood vessels and immune cells—the tumor microenvironment. In pancreatic cancer, this surrounding tissue accounts for up to 90% of the tumor mass.

Of particular importance are cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), mutated connective tissue cells surrounding the tumor. They stimulate its growth and spread by growing a scar-like tissue structure and suppressing the body's own immune response. As a result, many immunotherapies that help with other forms of cancer are often ineffective.

Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have now identified a molecular mechanism that regulates this tumor-supporting environment. At the heart of this mechanism is CD44, a molecule that controls the behavior of cancer-associated fibroblasts, specialized connective tissue cells that play a crucial role in shaping the tumor microenvironment. Their research is published in Cell Death & Disease.

Key role of the CD44 molecule

In their study, the researchers focused on the role of the CD44 molecule in cancer-associated fibroblasts. They demonstrated that CD44 intensifies important signals that activate these cells. In the laboratory, they inactivated CD44 in the mouse model as well as in human cells.

"This changed the fibroblasts dramatically. They produced less extracellular matrix, released fewer cytokines and lost their ability to suppress the immune system. As a result, immune cells could attack the tumor cells more successfully, which significantly decreased the tumor size in a mouse model," said professor Véronique Orian-Rousseau, head of the Cancer Cell Plasticity, Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis research group at KIT's Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems—Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS).

"The fact that we can change fibroblasts in a targeted manner by inactivating CD44 instead of destroying them opens up new prospects for more effective and less disruptive cancer treatments."

Potential new treatment approaches

The study ties in with a therapy approach against CD44 already pursued at KIT. Earlier work had shown that blocking certain CD44 variants on cancer cells can slow down the progression of pancreatic cancer. Based on this finding, the researchers developed a peptide directed at CD44v6, which has already been tested in a clinical study.

The current results suggest that blocking CD44 in the supporting tissue of tumors could also be therapeutically promising. However, further research will be needed to develop a clinical application.

In addition to the KIT scientists, researchers from TRON at the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and researchers from the University of Freiburg also took part in the study.

More information

Sven Máté Treffert et al., Loss of CD44 re-educates pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts modulating their fibrotic and immunosuppressive functions, Cell Death & Disease (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41419-026-09155-5

Key medical concepts

Pancreatic CancerCD44 protein, humanCancer-Associated FibroblastsTumor Microenvironment

Clinical categories

Oncology Provided by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Who's behind this story?

Lisa Lock

BA art history, MA material culture. Former museum editor, paramedic, and transplant coordinator. Editing for Science X since 2021. Full profile →

Robert Egan

Bachelor's in mathematical biology, Master's in creative writing. Well-traveled with unique perspectives on science and language. Full profile →

Citation: Reprogramming tumor microenvironment could improve prospects for treatment of pancreatic cancer (2026, October 23) retrieved 23 October 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-10-reprogramming-tumor-microenvironment-prospects-treatment.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.