About this Research Topic
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is projected to become the second cause of death in 2030. The retroperitoneal location of the pancreas facilitates the spread of cancer cells to nearby organs, nerves, and blood vessels through molecular mechanisms that are, in part, elucidated. PDAC is under complex neural influences where sensory and sympathetic nerves stimulate tumorigenesis, while parasympathetic nerves have protective effects. When cancer cells infiltrate a minimum of 33% of the nerves along the epineural, perineural, and endoneural layers, a perineural invasion (PNI) is identified in PDAC patients. PNI is an omnipresent characteristic of PDAC. Together with the role of PNI in prognosis and recurrence, nerves are also responsible for abdominal or back pain in PDAC patients. The crosstalk between nerves, immune cells and pancreatic cells is a complicated and complex event.
Identifying predictive biomarkers for monitoring PNI severity is strongly advocated in PDAC patients. This will be helpful for surgeons who have to perform a curative resection and for oncologists who have to plan a targeted treatment.
Researchers and clinicians are encouraged to submit original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, systematic reviews, perspectives and short communications that will cover these topics:
Predictive and diagnostic approaches:
• Analysis of serum biomarkers to assess PDAC precursors.
• The role of imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and positron emission tomography in identifying nerve infiltration in PDAC.
• The role of artificial intelligence in PNI for PDAC patients.
Innovative therapeutic approaches:
• The use of combination therapies and novel treatment protocols in case of PNI invasion.
• Novel therapeutic strategy and surgical dissection in PDAC patients with the preoperative suspect of PNI.
• The role of fluorescence imaging in pancreatic surgical resection.
Identifying predictive biomarkers for monitoring PNI severity is strongly advocated in PDAC patients. This will be helpful for surgeons who have to perform a curative resection and for oncologists who have to plan a targeted treatment.
Researchers and clinicians are encouraged to submit original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, systematic reviews, perspectives and short communications that will cover these topics:
Predictive and diagnostic approaches:
• Analysis of serum biomarkers to assess PDAC precursors.
• The role of imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and positron emission tomography in identifying nerve infiltration in PDAC.
• The role of artificial intelligence in PNI for PDAC patients.
Innovative therapeutic approaches:
• The use of combination therapies and novel treatment protocols in case of PNI invasion.
• Novel therapeutic strategy and surgical dissection in PDAC patients with the preoperative suspect of PNI.
• The role of fluorescence imaging in pancreatic surgical resection.
Keywords: pancreatic cancer, diagnostics, treatment, metastasis, nerve invasion
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