Paracrine pathway modulation

Paracrine pathway modulation refers to the therapeutic intervention in signaling processes where a cell produces a signal to induce changes in nearby cells, altering the behavior of those cells [1]. Unlike endocrine signaling, which uses the circulatory system to transport ligands, paracrine signals diffuse through the extracellular matrix to act locally [2]. This form of communication is critical in maintaining tissue homeostasis, regulating immune responses, and directing embryonic development [3]. In disease states like cancer, aberrant paracrine signaling—such as the secretion of growth factors by stromal cells to support tumor growth—is a major driver of progression and drug resistance [4]. Modulating these pathways often involves targeting secreted ligands (e.g., cytokines, chemokines, or growth factors) or their respective receptors on adjacent cells to disrupt pathological local environments [5, 6]. Sources: [1] NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms; [2] Alberts B, et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell; [3] Gilbert SF, Developmental Biology; [4] Hanahan D, Weinberg RA, Cell 2011; [5] Teicher BA, Fricker SP, Clin Cancer Res 2010; [6] Ferrara N, et al., Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 2004.

Other names

Paracrine signalingLocal cell signalingNeighbor signalingStromal-epithelial crosstalkCell-to-cell communication

Disruption of local signaling by neutralizing secreted ligands or blocking their cognate receptors on adjacent cells to interrupt pathological feedback loops [1, 5].