Unraveling the impact of cancer-associated fibroblasts on hypovascular pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) with low microvessel density and fibrosis often exhibit clinical aggressiveness. Given the contribution of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to the hypovascular fibrotic stroma in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, investigating whether CAFs play a similar role in PNETs becomes imperative. In this study, we investigated the involvement of CAFs in PNETs and their effects on clinical outcomes.

Methods

We examined 79 clinical PNET specimens to evaluate the number and spatial distribution of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA)-positive cells, which are indicative of CAFs. Then, the findings were correlated with clinical outcomes. In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to assess the effects of CAFs (isolated from clinical spe

SUBMITTER: Lai TY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10991442 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature