AXL is a key factor for cell plasticity and promotes metastasis in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), a leading cause of cancer-related death in the US, has a high metastatic rate and is associated with persistent immune suppression. AXL, a member of the TAM (TYRO3, AXL, MERTK) receptor tyrosine kinase family, has been identified as a driver of metastasis and immune suppression in multiple cancer types. Here we use single cell RNA sequencing to reveal that AXL is expressed highly in tumor cells that have a mesenchymal-like phenotype and that AXL expression correlates with classic markers of mesenchymal tumor cells. We demonstrate that extends survival, reduces primary and metastatic burden and enhances sensitivity to gemcitabine in an autochthonous model of PDA. PDA in mice displayed a more differentiated histology, higher nucleoside transporter expression and a more active immune microenvironment compared to PDA in mice. Finally, we demonstrate that AXL-positive mesenchymal tumor cells are critical for PDA progression and metastasis, emphasizing the potential of AXL as a therapeutic target for PDA patients.