Pancreatic cancer: the potential clinical relevance of alterations in growth factors and their receptors.
Molecular alterations play a key role in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal cancers. In the present paper we describe relevant molecular alterations in human pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Overexpression of growth factor receptors (EGF receptor, c-erbB2, c-erbB3, TGF beta receptor I-III), growth factors (EGF, TGF alpha, TGF beta-1-3, aFGF, bFGF), adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, ELAM-1) and gene mutations (p53, K-ras, DCC, APC) are present in a significant number of these tumors. These changes stimulate tumor growth and enhance the metastatic behavior of pancreatic cancer cells and thereby may contribute to shorter postoperative survival following tumor resection.
Friess
H
H
Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Berne, Inselspital, Switzerland.
Berberat
P
P
Schilling
M
M
Kunz
J
J
Korc
M
M
Büchler
M W
MW
D019040:E-Selectin / Q000378:metabolism; D011905:Genes, ras / Q000235:genetics; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D009154:Mutation; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*
D019040:E-Selectin; D006133:Growth Substances; D008024:Ligands; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1