Neuroplastic changes occur early in the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Perineural tumor invasion of intrapancreatic nerves, neurogenic inflammation, and tumor metastases along extrapancreatic nerves are key features of pancreatic malignancies. Animal studies show that chronic pancreatic inflammation produces hypertrophy and hypersensitivity of pancreatic afferents and that sensory fibers may themselves drive inflammation via neurogenic mechanisms. Although genetic mutations are required for cancer development, inflammation has been shown to be a precipitating event that can accelerate the transition of precancerous lesions to cancer. These observations led us to hypothesize that inflammation that accompanies early phases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) would produce pathologic changes in pancreatic neurons and innervation. Using a lineage-labeled g

SUBMITTER: Stopczynski RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4036226 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature