Stellate cells as mediators of immune suppressive features in pancreatic cancer

One hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the dense stroma that includes activated myofibroblast-like cells termed ‘pancreatic stellate cells’ (PSC). We hypothesized that antitumor immunity is restrained by PSC, and that key pathways can be identified to augment efficacy of immunotherapy. To gain insight into the most relevant soluble factors and pathways, primary PSC (n=10) were isolated from PDAC patients. A normal human...