Therapeutic targeting of pancreatic cancer utilizing sigma-2 ligands

One major barrier in the development of pancreas cancer therapeutics is the selective delivery of the drugs to their cellular targets. We have previously developed several sigma-2 ligands and reported the discovery of a component of the receptor for these ligands. Several sigma-2 ligands have been shown to trigger apoptosis in pancreas cancer cells. More importantly, sigma-2 ligands are internalized rapidly by the cancer cells and are capable of delivering other small-molecule therapeutics. Here we review sigma-2 ligands and conjugates as a potential novel therapy suitable for investigation in patients with pancreatic cancer.