NPTX1: A New Target in the Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis

This study reveals neuronal pentraxin 1 (NPTX1) as a critical driver of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) metastasis, specifically to the liver. Overexpressed in metastatic PDAC cells, NPTX1 interacts with its receptor AMIGO2 to enhance the hypoxic response by stabilizing nuclear retention of HIF1α, a key factor in tumor adaptation to low oxygen. Researchers demonstrated that blocking NPTX1 with a high-affinity monoclonal antibody significantly reduced liver metastases and slowed primary tumor growth in preclinical models, outperforming standard chemotherapy. With its pivotal role in PDAC progression and metastasis, the NPTX1–AMIGO2 axis emerges as a promising therapeutic target, offering new hope for improving outcomes in this devastating cancer.