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From somatic mutation to early detection: insights from molecular characterization of pancreatic cancer precursor lesions
Author(s) -
Fischer Catherine G,
Wood Laura D
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/path.5154
Subject(s) - pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia , intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm , carcinogenesis , pancreatic cancer , pancreas , somatic cell , cancer research , cancer , pathology , malignant transformation , adenocarcinoma , biology , medicine , pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma , gene , genetics
Pancreatic cancer arises from noninvasive precursor lesions, including pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), and mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN), which are curable if detected early enough. Recently, these types of precursor lesions have been extensively characterized at the molecular level, defining the timing of critical genetic alterations in tumorigenesis pathways. The results of these studies deepen our understanding of tumorigenesis in the pancreas, providing novel insights into tumor initiation and progression. Perhaps more importantly, they also provide a rational foundation for early detection approaches that could allow clinical intervention prior to malignant transformation. In this review, we summarize the results of comprehensive molecular characterization of PanINs, IPMNs, and MCNs and discuss the implications for cancer biology as well as early detection. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.