1724P Secreted kinase FAM20C promotes stromal remodeling via inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblast activation in pancreatic cancer microenvironment

Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a key role in the tumor microenvironment by promoting ideal circumstances for cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and chemo-resistance. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) growth is fueled by autocrine and paracrine interaction between tumors and cancer-associated fibroblasts and macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. We recently discovered that a family of proteins with sequence similarity to 20-member C (FAM20C), a novel secreted kinase that phosphorylates secretory proteins or an ectodomain of membrane proteins containing an S-x-E motif, promotes cancer progression and metastasis through tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), implying a novel role for stromal remodeling in tumors.