[Relation of nerve growth factor expression with perineural invasion and pain in pancreatic cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association of nerve growth factor (NGF) expression with perineural invasion and pain in pancreatic cancer.


METHODS
NGF expression was detected by Northern blotting and immunohistochemistry in 28 pancreatic cancer and 20 normal pancreatic tissue samples. Correlation analysis of the results with the extent of perineural invasion, pain and histopathologic characteristics of the tumor was performed.


RESULTS
Northern blot analysis revealed that NGF levels in pancreatic cancer tissues increased by 3.1 folds in comparison with normal pancreas tissue (P<0.05), and immunohistochemistry detected the presence of obvious NGF expression in the cytoplasm of pancreatic cancer cells. Tumors with high NGF expression were associated with more frequent perineural invasion (P<0.01), and increased NGF expression was related to more intense pain (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Increased NGF expression may contribute to perineural invasion and pain in pancreatic cancer.
Hua
Zhu-ming
ZM
Department of Anesthesia, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou 510010, China.
Li
Zhen
Z
Lou
Dong-lan
DL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D021441:Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor