Tumour microenvironment: Genotype puts tension on a tumour (Nature Reviews Cancer)

SMAD4-mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) with impaired transforming growth factor-? (TGF?) signalling initiate a signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)-dependent signalling pathway that leads to increased stromal stiffening and aggressive disease.