title: Current Molecular and Genetic Aspects of Pancreatic Cancer, the Role of Metastasis Associated Proteins (MTA): A Review.
abstract: Purpose/aim: To focus on current molecular and genetic aspects and MTA proteins, since pancreatic cancer is a lethal malignant with poor prognosis. Early diagnosis is essential step, contributing to potential curative resection.
  
  
  METHODS
  A PubMed search of relevant articles published up to August 2016 was performed to identify current information about pancreatic cancer regarding molecular biomarkers, with emphasis on carcinogenesis, novel therapeutic targets, and MTA proteins.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Understanding the mechanisms involved in the process of carcinogenesis at the molecular level and the recognition of various oncogenes has opened new horizons for both diagnosis and targeted therapy. Metastasis associated (MTA) proteins (MTA1, MTA2, MTA3) comprise a well-established family of biomarkers. The oncogene MTA1 and its expression product MTA1 protein are the most important and adequately studied in the current research. It defines the growth, local invasiveness, lymphatic spread, and metastatic capacity of various malignancies such as colorectal or gastric cancer including also pancreatic cancer. This protein is associated with malignant potential and biological behavior. Consequently, it could contribute to cancer detection since the first stages of carcinogenesis, as well as in prediction of its malignant differentiation grade. The pre-operative information of the possibility of lymph node involvement may also affect the attempt and the extent of curative resection and lymphadenectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carcinogenesis and implicated oncogenes, either activators or repressors, concentrate much research interest, as well as being useful as biomarkers and for targeted therapy. MTA proteins could become useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in current management of pancreatic cancer.
authors.affiliation: a Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Medical School , Second Surgical Propedeutic Department, Hippocration Hospital , Konstantinoupoleos 49, 546 42 Thessaloniki , Greece.
authors.forename: Efstathios T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Pavlidis
authors.affiliation: a Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Medical School , Second Surgical Propedeutic Department, Hippocration Hospital , Konstantinoupoleos 49, 546 42 Thessaloniki , Greece.
authors.forename: Theodoros E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Pavlidis
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006655:Histone Deacetylases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000235:genetics; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009857:Oncogenes / Q000235:genetics; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015534:Trans-Activators; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C486657:MTA3 protein, human; C089320:MTA1 protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; C120917:MTA2 protein, human; D006655:Histone Deacetylases
keywords: MTA proteins; Pancreatic cancer; biomarkers; carcinogenesis; metastatic capacity; molecular prognostic markers