The ALOX5 inhibitor Zileuton regulates tumor-associated macrophage M2 polarization by JAK/STAT and inhibits pancreatic cancer invasion and metastasis

•The function of ALOX5 in the metastasis of human pancreatic cancer and the definite mechanism remains unclear. This study verified that ALOX5 promoted pancreatic cancer invasion and metastasis and M2 macrophage polarization in the tumor microenvironment in vivo and in vitro.•Zileuton, the only currently approved ALOX5 inhibitor, has antitumor effects on a variety of tumors. This study found that in pancreatic cancer zileuton was able to inhibit pancreatic cancer progression by inhibiting ALOX5.•In pancreatic cancer, zileuton is a promising treatment with the ability to inhibit invasive metastasis and modulate tumor-associated macrophages.