Isolated pulmonary metastases in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a review of current evidence.

Despite recent advances in cancer therapeutics, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a lethal disease with a 5-year overall survival of only 10%. Since either at or within a few months of diagnosis, most patients with PDAC will present with metastatic disease, a more individualized approach to select patients who may benefit from more aggressive therapy has been suggested. Although studies have reported improved survival in PDAC and isolated pulmonary metastasis (ISP) compared to extrapulmonary metastases, such findings remain controversial.

Aquaporins: Their role in gastrointestinal malignancies.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are small (~30 kDa monomers) integral membrane water transport proteins that allow water to flow through cell membranes in reaction to osmotic gradients in cells. In mammals, the family of AQPs has thirteen (AQP0-12) unique members that mediate critical biological functions. Since AQPs can impact cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis, their role in various human cancers is well established.

MicroRNAs as biomarkers and prospective therapeutic targets in colon and pancreatic cancers.

Colon and pancreatic cancers have high mortality rates due to early metastasis prior to the onset of symptoms. Screening tests for colorectal cancer are invasive and expensive. No effective screening is available for pancreatic cancer.

Role of adiponectin in obesity related gastrointestinal carcinogenesis.

Adiponectin is produced in the white adipose tissue and is known to have anti-metabolic and anti-inflammatory properties. Serum/plasma adiponectin levels depend on diet, physical activity, and inheritance. Epidemiologic observations suggest a potential link between obesity and gastrointestinal malignancies.