Advances in research on the expression and role of molecules involved in perineural invasion in pancreaiic cancer.

One of the hallmarks of advanced pancreaiic cancer is its abliity of perineural invation (PNI), which predicts Us development and unfavorable prognotis. Recent years, many studies have indicated that a variety of mo-lecular and intracellular tignal pathways are correlated wíth PNI and associated pain. Some that have been further studied include activation of NGF-TrkA tignaiing, stimulation of chemokines CX3CR1, up-regulation of matrix met-alloproteinase (MMP), degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM), and abnormaHty of immune system. PNI, sec-ondary space occupation by tumor, damage of neurons by tumor celi, and angiogenetis all contribute to the pain that is difficult to alleviate by conventional anodyne. Nowadays, studies focus on targeting these tignal pathways would improve treatment outcomes for patients wth pancreatic cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]