Chronic Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer

This article reviews those components in the CP-PC connection, including the role of macrophages, the maintenance of genome stability, cytokines, and other nodal factors such as nuclear factor kappa B, COX-2 and reactive oxygen species. Key Message: The molecular mechanisms that underlie CP and PC provide novel targets for future therapies for PC. Practical Implications: The stromal-desmoplastic reaction plays an important role in initiating and sustaining chronic inflammation and tumor progression. Recently, two targeted anti-tumor agents, erlotinib and nab-paclitaxel, have shown promising therapeutic efficacy. Notably, both these agents target components (EGFR and SPARC) within the inflammatory stroma surrounding malignant cells, underscoring the importance of inflammation in pancreatic carcinogenesis. Identifying the common pathways linking CP and PC may help uncover additional novel targets for future therapies.Gastrointest Tumors 2014;1:123-134
Source: Gastrointestinal Tumors - Category: Gastroenterology Source Type: research