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Modelling Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Cancer: From Bench Side to Clinic
Alexander Ney1, Gabriele Canciani1,2, J Justin Hsuan1
1Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK.
Cancers
|October 31, 2020
Summary
Developing accurate pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) models is crucial for improving diagnosis and treatment. Current models face limitations, highlighting the need for advanced tissue-engineered approaches to better mimic pNETs ex vivo.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Translational Research
Background:
- Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are rare but increasing neoplasms, with survival rates as low as 40%.
- Accurate ex vivo disease models are essential for advancing pNET diagnostics and therapeutics.
- Existing pNET models, including 3D cultures and mouse models, have limitations in clinical translatability and accurately recapitulating tumor phenotypes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current clinically relevant disease models for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs).
- To discuss the limitations of existing pNET models.
- To explore future directions for developing improved pNET models, particularly focusing on tissue-engineered constructs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) models.
- Analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of various ex vivo and in vivo models.
- Discussion of advancements in tissue engineering for recapitulating the tumor microenvironment.
Main Results:
- Current pNET models, including 3D cultures and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs), offer insights but face challenges.
- Limitations include ethical concerns, low clinical translatability, and failure to fully capture tumor phenotype.
- The role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in pNET progression is increasingly recognized.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need for improved pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) models that accurately reflect the native tumor microenvironment.
- Tissue-engineered constructs hold promise for developing advanced ex vivo models.
- Further research into site-specific ECM recapitulation is vital for future pNET modeling.
