The Role of PPP2R2B in Pancreatic Cancer Progression: A Novel Pro-Cancer Factor

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most lethal types of cancer, as current treatments are largely ineffective. Our research uncovers that PPP2R2B is overexpressed in a majority of PC cases, playing a significant role in the growth and spread of PC tumors. Further analysis showed that reducing PPP2R2B levels in PC inactivates the MAPK pathways—ERK, JNK, and p38—impacting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and apoptosis processes, ultimately promoting PC growth. Our experiments in live subjects demonstrate that removing PPP2R2B inhibits tumor growth in PC mouse models and alters the levels of proteins involved in EMT and cell death. Thus, our work highlights the crucial role of PPP2R2B as a new factor that promotes cancer progression by influencing EMT and cell death through the MAPK pathway in pancreatic cancer.