Pancreatic cancer cells infiltrate nerves through TGFbeta1-driven perineural epithelial-to-mesenchymal-like transdifferentiation.

Neural invasion is a prognostic hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), yet the underlying mechanisms behind the disruption of perineural barriers and access of cancer cells into intrapancreatic nerves remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) in perineural epithelial cells during neural invasion.Histopathological analysis of human and murine primary tumors using perineurium-specific GLUT1 antibody revealed a reduction in perineural integrity, which positively correlated with the extent of neural invasion in human PDAC cases.

Towards a neurobiological understanding of pain in chronic pancreatitis: mechanisms and implications for treatment.

Introduction: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a disease characterized by inflammation of the pancreas resulting in replacement of the normal functioning parenchyma by fibrotic connective tissue. This process leads to progressively impairment of exocrine and endocrine function and many patients develop a chronic pain syndrome.

Objectives: We aimed to characterize the neurobiological signature of pain associated with CP and to discuss its implications for treatment strategies.