Abstract 6984: Investigating the function of the OSM-OSMR axis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)

Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal forms of cancer, characterized by a low survival rate and a significant global mortality impact. The interaction between PDAC and the immune system is complex and plays a crucial role in the progression of the disease. PDAC creates an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, which hampers the ability of immune cells to effectively infiltrate the tumor and mount an anti-cancer immune response. Additionally, there is an imbalance of cytokines, with an overabundance of immunosuppressive factors and a deficiency in pro-inflammatory cytokines. This hostile immunological landscape contributes to the aggressive nature of PDAC and hinders the success of immunotherapies and adjuvant treatments. One cytokine of particular interest is oncostatin M (OSM), a member of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) family. OSM has been implicated in the regulation of cancer and has been associated with poor overall survival in pancreatic cancer and other malignancies. Similar to other cytokines, OSM is secreted by immune cells and acts as a regulator of the inflammatory microenvironment surrounding the tumor. The levels of OSM in this milieu can potentially influence cancer development and regulation through multiple mechanisms. Despite the growing understanding of cytokines in cancer, research on the role of OSM in PDAC is still limited and requires further investigation to identify potential therapeutic targets. Therefore, there is a critical need to delve deeper into the functions of OSM and its receptor, oncostatin M receptor (OSMR), in the initiation and progression of pancreatic cancer. As such, our goal is to examine the functions of OSM and its receptor (OSMR) in initiating and advancing pancreatic cancer to better comprehend the role of the OSM-OSMR axis in PDAC, both in vivo and in vitro. Citation Format: Yuan Sui, Tony Hunter. Investigating the function of the OSM-OSMR axis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) abstract. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts) ; 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84 (6Suppl): Abstract nr 6984.