HGF/c-Met pathway facilitates the perineural invasion of pancreatic cancer by activating the mTOR/NGF axis.

ABSTRACT: Perineural invasion (PNI) is a pathologic feature of pancreatic cancer and is associated with poor outcomes, metastasis, and recurrence in pancreatic cancer patients. However, the molecular mechanism of PNI remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism that HGF/c-Met pathway facilitates the PNI of pancreatic cancer. In this study, we confirmed that c-Met expression was correlated with PNI in pancreatic cancer tissues. Activating the HGF/c-Met signaling pathway potentiated the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) to recruit nerves and promote the PNI. Activating the HGF/c-Met signaling pathway also enhanced the migration and invasion ability of cancer cells to facilitate cancer cells invading nerves. Mechanistically, HGF/c-Met signaling pathway can active the mTOR

SUBMITTER: Qin T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9023560 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature