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Mast cells and angiogenesis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

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Abstract

Mast cells are recognized as critical components of the tumor stromal microenvironment in several solid and hematological malignancies, promoting angiogenesis and tumor growth. A correlation between mast cells infiltration, angiogenesis and tumor progression has been reported for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma as well. Mast cells contribute to the aggressiveness of the pancreatic ductal carcinoma enhancing the expression of several pro-angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor-2, platelet-derived growth factor and angiopoietin-1 as well as stimulating the pancreatic cancer cells proliferation by IL-13 and tryptase. The disruption of this pro-angiogenic and proliferative stimulation by inhibiting the mast cells migration and degranulation is under investigation as a potential therapeutic approach in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients. This review will summarize the literature concerning the mast cells infiltration in the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma analyzing its role in angiogenesis and tumor progression.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by “Associazione Italiana Mastocitosi” to DR.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital of Taranto, Taranto, Italy

    Vito Longo & Salvatore Pisconti

  2. Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy

    Roberto Tamma & Domenico Ribatti

  3. National Cancer Institute “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari, Italy

    Roberto Tamma & Domenico Ribatti

  4. Medical Oncology Unit and Scientific Directorate, Cancer Institute “Giovanni Paolo II”, Viale Orazio Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy

    Oronzo Brunetti, Antonella Argentiero & Nicola Silvestris

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  1. Vito Longo
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Correspondence to Nicola Silvestris.

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Longo, V., Tamma, R., Brunetti, O. et al. Mast cells and angiogenesis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Clin Exp Med 18, 319–323 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10238-018-0493-6

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