title: Role of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in perineural invasion of pancreatic cancer.
abstract: Perineural invasion (PNI) is the initial infiltration of tumor cells into the retroperitoneal nerve plexus and along the nerves. It precludes curative resection, is thought to be the major cause of local recurrence following resection, and is a special metastatic route in pancreatic cancer. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was recently recognized as a key player in the PNI process. This review covers the most recently published studies on the role of GDNF in pancreatic cancer. We introduce the players in PNI, summarize the distribution of GDNF and its receptors in pancreatic cancer, and discuss the effects and underlying mechanism of GDNF in the PNI process. Finally, we also review some potential inhibitors for GDNF-targeted therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Han
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xuqi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qinhong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Shifang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.forename: Junhui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qingyong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D051098:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*
chemical_list: D051098:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factors