Publication Name	World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology
Manuscript ID	115679
Country	China

Category	Oncology
Manuscript Type	Basic Study
Article Title	Oncogenic CD44 is essential for pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis: A novel targeted therapeutic strategy
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Yu-Xi Liu, Na-Na Zheng, Xiao-Xiao Wang, Quan-Sheng Zhou and Mei Meng
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number National Natural Science Foundation of China 82473211 and 82200168 Suzhou Municipal Applied Basic Research (Medical and Health) Science and Technology SYWD2024241 National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases 2020ZKMB04 Suzhou Vocational Health College SZWZY202421 Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province BK20220247
Corresponding Author	Mei Meng, Manager, Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, Soochow University, No. 199 Renai Road, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu Province, China. mmeng@suda.edu.cn
Key Words	Pancreatic cancer; Oncogene; Biomarker; Prognosis; CD44 gene knockout; Tumorigenesis; X-inactive-specific transcript; Cancer therapy
Core Tip	This study employed CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing to knock out the CD44 gene, elucidating its critical role in the progression of pancreatic cancer. CD44 deficiency was shown to significantly suppress cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while simultaneously enhancing sensitivity to cisplatin treatment. Furthermore, we identified a novel regulatory axis involving CD44 and X-inactive-specific transcript. Mechanistically, CD44 knockout inhibited the AKT/ERK signalling pathway while activating the p38/p53 pathway. Collectively, these findings indicate that targeting CD44 through CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer.
Citation	Liu YX, Zheng NN, Wang XX, Zhou QS, Meng M. Oncogenic CD44 is essential for pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis: A novel targeted therapeutic strategy. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2025; In press

Received	2025-10-24 09:57
Peer-Review Started	2025-10-24 09:57
First Decision by Editorial Office Director	2025-10-31 09:21
Return for Revision	2025-11-03 07:56
Revised	2025-11-12 07:21
Publication Fee Transferred	2025-11-18 08:43
Second Decision by Editor	2025-12-09 02:39
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2025-12-10 03:27
Articles in Press	2025-12-10 03:27
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1948-5204 (online)
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