Figure 2.

Cellular and acellular elements of PaCa stroma with established roles in treatment resistance. PaCa is characterised by an abundant desmoplastic stroma populated by non-malignant cells such as macrophages, fibroblasts and regulatory T cells. The biological actions and interplay of these cells create a nurturing environment for tumour growth that can markedly limit the effectiveness of therapy. Response to treatment is further impaired by a lack of functional vasculature and fibrotic deposits of ECM throughout the stroma, which pose physical barriers to drug delivery. Collectively, these features highlight the significance of the stroma as a rich source of actionable targets for overcoming PaCa resistance.