The diversity between pancreatic head and body/tail cancers：clinical parameters and in vitro models

摘要

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic  ductal  adenocarcinoma  (PDAC) can be divided into head, body and tail cancers according to the anatomy.  Distinctions  in  tissue  composition,  vascularization and innervations have been clearly identified between the head and body/tail of the pancreas both in embryological development and in histopathology. To understand the postulated genotype difference, we present comprehensive information on two PDAC cell lines as typical representatives originating from pancreatic head and body/tail cancers, respectively. DATA SOURCE: In the present review, we compare the difference between pancreatic head and body/tail cancers regarding clinical parameters and introducing an in vitro model. RESULTS: Increasing  evidence  has  shown  that  tumors  at different locations (head vs body/tail) display different clinical presentation (e.g. incidence, symptom), treatment efficiency (e.g. surgery,  chemotherapy)  and  thus  patient  prognosis.  However, the genetic or molecular diversity (e.g. mutations, microRNA) between  the  two  subtypes  of  PDAC  has  not  been  elucidated so  far.  They  present  different  chemo-  and/or  radio-resistance, extracellular  matrix  adhesion  and  invasiveness,  as  well  as genetic profiles. CONCLUSION: Genetic and tumor biological diversity exists in PDAC according to the tumor localization.