Keap1–Nrf2 signalling in pancreatic cancer

Transcription factor NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2, also called Nfe2l2), a master regulator of redox homeostasis, and its dominant negative regulator, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), together tightly control the expression of numerous detoxifying and antioxidant genes. Nrf2 and the ‘antioxidant response element’ (ARE)-driven genes it controls are frequently upregulated in pancreatic cancer and correlate with poor survival. Upregulation of Nrf2 is, at least in part, K-Ras oncogene-driven and contributes to pancreatic cancer proliferation and chemoresistance. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of Keap1–Nrf2 signalling as it relates to pancreatic cancer, discussing the effects of inhibiting Nrf2 or Nrf2/ARE effector proteins to increase chemosensitivity.