Influence of the neural microenvironment on prostate cancer.

Background: Nerves are key factors in prostate cancer (PCa), but the functional role of innervation in prostate cancer is poorly understood. PCa induced neurogenesis and perineural invasion (PNI), are associated with aggressive disease.

Method: We denervated rodent prostates chemically and physically, before orthotopically implanting cancer cells.

Biologic effect of neurogenesis in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer (PaCA) is a deadly disease with few systemic therapeutic options. The head of the pancreas is the most innervated part and most common location of cancer. However, little is known about the contribution of the nerve-cancer interaction to facilitate pancreatic progression.

Biological correlates of prostate cancer perineural invasion diameter.

Perineural invasion is a symbiotic relationship between cancer cells and nerves and is most frequently seen in "neurotropic" cancers such as prostate cancer. It results in increased perineural space cancer cell growth and decreased apoptosis and induces nerve growth. Tissue microarrays were constructed from 640 radical prostatectomy specimens with prostate cancer.

Biologic correlates and significance of axonogenesis in prostate cancer.

Cancer-related axonogenesis and neurogenesis are recently described biologic phenomena. Our previously published data showed that nerve density and the number of neurons in the parasympathetic ganglia are increased in prostate cancer (PCa) and associated with aggressive disease. Tissue microarrays were constructed from 640 radical prostatectomy specimens with PCa.

Semaphorin 4F as a critical regulator of neuroepithelial interactions and a biomarker of aggressive prostate cancer.

Background: Semaphorin 4F (S4F) has roles in embryologic axon guidance and is expressed in adults. S4F is involved in cancer-induced neurogenesis.

Methods: Prostate cells were transfected with S4F retrovirus.