Increased Serotonin Signaling Contributes to the Warburg Effect in Pancreatic Tumor Cells under Metabolic Stress and Promotes Growth of Pancreatic Tumors in Mice

The desmoplasia and poor vascularity cause severe metabolic stress in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). Serotonin (5-HT) is a neuromodulator with neurotransmitter and neuroendocrine functions that contributes to tumorigenesis. We investigated the role of 5-HT signaling in the growth of pancreatic tumors.