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Neuroendocrine tumors and fibrosis: An unsolved mystery?
Author(s) -
Laskaratos FaidonMarios,
Rombouts Krista,
Caplin Martyn,
Toumpanakis Christos,
Thirlwell Christina,
Mandair Dalvinder
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.31079
Subject(s) - medicine , desmoplasia , neuroendocrine tumors , fibrosis , enterochromaffin cell , pathology , carcinoid tumors , carcinoid syndrome , pathophysiology , tumor progression , cancer , cancer research , serotonin , pancreatic cancer , receptor
Neuroendocrine tumors are a heterogeneous group of slow‐growing neoplasms arising mainly from the enterochromaffin cells of the digestive and respiratory tract. Although they are relatively rare, their incidence is rising. It has long been observed that they often are associated with the development of fibrosis, both local and distant. Fibrotic complications, such as carcinoid heart disease and mesenteric desmoplasia, may lead to considerable morbidity or even affect prognosis. The elucidation of the pathophysiology of fibrosis would be of critical importance for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. In this article, the authors review the available evidence regarding the biological basis of fibrosis in neuroendocrine tumors. They explore the role of the tumor microenvironment and the interplay between tumor cells and fibroblasts as a key factor in fibrogenesis and tumor development/progression. They also review the role of serotonin, growth factors, and other peptides in the development of carcinoid‐related fibrotic reactions. Cancer 2017;123:4770‐90 . © 2017 American Cancer Society .