Progranulin can promote cyclin D1 expression in breast cancer lines and phosphorylation of proteins through extracellular regulated kinase signaling pathways. Progranulin is highly expressed in ovarian, adrenal carcinomas and immortalized epithelial cells. There is a correlation between progranulin concentration and cancer severity. Granulin release by macrophages has been associated with fibrotic hepatic metastasis in pancreatic cancer. The human liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini contributes to the development of bile duct (liver) cancer by secreting a granulin-like growth hormone.
