Implications of growth factor alterations in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer ranks fifth as a cause of cancer-related death in the world with an overall 5-year survival rate of less than 1% and a median survival of less than a year after tumour detection. Most of these patients have already metastases at the time of diagnosis. The oncologic strategies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, antihormonal modalities or the systemic use of specific monoclonal antibodies have not achieved a significant improvement in the survival of pancreatic cancer patients. Recent studies suggest that alterations in molecular pathways, particularly in growth factor mediated mechanisms, that regulate cell proliferation and differentiation play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of this cancer. The molecular knowledge regarding changes in the expression of growth factors in pancreatic cancer has the potential to improve diagnostic and therapeutic treatment strategies in the near future.
Juhász
Márk
M
Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Otto-von-Guericke University, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany. juhaszmark@hotmail.com
Nitsche
Barbara
B
Malfertheiner
Peter
P
Ebert
Matthias P A
MP
D000818:Animals; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
D006133:Growth Substances; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor