文章：

胰腺癌的神经周围浸润及相关疼痛

Perineural invasion and associated pain in pancreatic cancer

原文发布日期：2011-06-09

DOI: 10.1038/nrc3131

类型: Review Article

开放获取: 否

要点：

1. Perineural invasion (PNI) is the process through which cancer cells invade the perineural spaces of surrounding nerves and is not simply the movement of cancer cells along a path of low resistance, as was previously thought. PNI is a directed process that involves many signalling molecules from various signalling pathways; these signalling molecules are produced by both the cancer cells and the nerves. Once the cancer cells have invaded the nerves, they are able to thrive within the neuronal spaces. This constitutes a means for the cancer cells to spread to distant locations.
2. The incidence of PNI is particularly high in pancreatic cancer. Although the exact cause for this increased affinity is as yet unclear, the strong neurotropic effects of pancreatic cancer cells are thought to contribute to this phenomenon. Additionally, reciprocal signalling between the pancreatic cancer cells and the surrounding nerves leads to neurogenesis, as well as the increased growth of pancreatic cancer cells.
3. PNI also contributes to the generation of the pain that is experienced by pancreatic cancer patients, and many of the signalling molecules that are involved in PNI are also known to be involved in pain signalling. Thus, we hypothesize that agents targeting these signalling pathways may have the potential to prevent PNI and may help to alleviate pain in patients with pancreatic cancer.

要点翻译：

1. 神经周围浸润（PNI）是癌细胞侵袭周围神经束膜的过程，而非以往认为的单纯沿低阻力路径扩散。PNI是一个定向过程，涉及多种信号通路中的众多信号分子；这些信号分子由癌细胞和神经共同产生。一旦癌细胞侵入神经，便能在神经空间内增殖，这为癌细胞向远处扩散提供了途径。
2. 胰腺癌中PNI的发生率尤为显著。虽然这种特殊亲和性的确切原因尚未明确，但胰腺癌细胞的强嗜神经效应被认为是重要因素。此外，胰腺癌细胞与周围神经之间的双向信号传导不仅促进神经发生，也加速胰腺癌细胞的生长。
3. PNI还与胰腺癌患者的疼痛症状相关，许多参与PNI的信号分子同样参与疼痛信号传导。因此我们推测，靶向这些信号通路的制剂可能具有预防PNI的潜力，并有助于缓解胰腺癌患者的疼痛。

英文摘要：

Perineural invasion (PNI) is a prominent characteristic of pancreatic cancer. PNI is a process whereby cancer cells invade the surrounding nerves, thus providing an alternative route for metastatic spread and pain generation. PNI is thought to be an indicator of aggressive tumour behaviour and has been shown to correlate with poor prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer. Recent studies demonstrated that some signalling molecules and pathways that are involved in PNI are also involved in pain generation. Targeting these signalling pathways has shown some promise in alleviating pain and reducing PNI, which could potentially improve treatment outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer.

摘要翻译： 

神经周围浸润（PNI）是胰腺癌的一个显著特征。PNI是指癌细胞侵入周围神经，从而为转移扩散和疼痛产生提供替代途径的过程。PNI被认为是肿瘤侵袭行为的标志，已被证明与胰腺癌患者的不良预后相关。最近的研究表明，一些参与PNI的信号分子和通路也参与疼痛的产生。靶向这些信号通路在缓解疼痛和减少PNI方面显示出一定的前景，这可能有望改善胰腺癌患者的治疗效果。

原文链接：

Perineural invasion and associated pain in pancreatic cancer