Bidirectional regulatory roles of IL-1β in pancreatic cancer and their clinical translational value

Abstract:

Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive malignancy with an extremely poor prognosis, in which the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in disease progression. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a key pro-inflammatory cytokine, is critically involved in inflammation, fibrosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and immune regulation. Accumulating evidence indicates that IL-1β contributes to the initiation, progression, and metastasis of pancreatic cancer through multiple signaling pathways, and is closely associated with poor prognosis, therapeutic resistance, and tumor recurrence. Notably, IL-1β may also exert anti-tumor effects under specific conditions, highlighting its context-dependent dual role. This review systematically summarizes the biological characteristics of IL-1β and its multifaceted roles in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment, with a focus on its potential applications in diagnosis, prognostic evaluation, and targeted therapy. Current controversies and future research directions are also discussed.