Shining the spotlight on shed KRAS in pancreatic cancer.

摘要

The pancreas is a complex organ functionally compartmentalized into exocrine and endocrine units. Acinar cells synthesize digestive pro-enzymes that are secreted into the ductal system, which starts as small pancreatic ductules that subsequently connect into larger and larger ducts to ultimately form the main pancreatic duct. It is via the main pancreatic duct (and occasionally also via an accessory duct) that these secreted products are released into the duodenum and the gastrointestinal tract. Ductal cells not only provide a structural conduit, but also secrete a bicarbonate-rich fluid. The endocrine islets, which are dispersed throughout the exocrine pancreas, produce insulin and other islet hormones. Blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves and sparsely distributed connective tissue constitute the rest of the pancreas.The well-organized architecture of the normal pancreas is dramatically altered in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), where there are regions of cancer cells that either form ductal-like structures when the cancer is well differentiated or appear as amorphous and invasive cells when the cancer is poorly differentiated. In addition,