The Role of PPAR-γ and Its Interaction with COX-2 in Pancreatic Cancer

In recent years, the study of the peroxisome proliferators activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) as a potential target for cancer prevention and therapy has gained a strong interest. However, the overall biological significance of PPAR-gamma in cancer development and progression is still controversial. While many reports documented antiproliferative effects in human cancer cell and animal models, several studies demonstrating potential tumor promoting actions of PPAR-gamma ligands raised considerable concerns about the role of PPAR-gamma in human cancers. Controversy also exists about the role of PPAR-gamma in human pancreatic cancers. The current review summarizes the data about PPAR-gamma in pancreatic cancer and highlights the biologically relevant interactions between the cyclooxygenase and PPAR system.