[Frontiers in Bioscience S2, 578-590, January 1, 2010]

Molecular diagnosis of pancreatic cancer: where do we stand?

Emanuele Lo Menzo1, Maria Di Vita2, Massimiliano Berretta3, Pierfrancesco Veroux4, Antonio Zanghì2, Andrea Cavallaro5, Bruno Cacopardo6 , Alessandro Cappellani2

1Division of Laparoscopic and Bariatric  Surgery, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD USA,2 Department of Surgery , General Surgery and Breast Unit, University of Catania, University Hospital, Catania, Italy,3 Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Institute, I.R.C.C.S. Aviano (PN),4Department of Surgery, Transplantation and Advanced Technologies; Vascular Surgery and Organ Transplant Unit, University of Catania, University Hospital, Catania, Italy, 5Fellowship in Surgical Physiopathology , Department of Surgery, University of Catania, University Hospital, Catania, Italy,6Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Catania, Garibaldi, Nesima Hospital, Catania, Italy

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Risk factors for pancreatic cancer
4. Sporadic risk factors
5. Genetic risk factors
6. Tumor progression model
7. Cancer biomarkers
8. Proteins
9. Genetic alterations
10. RNA
11. Current diagnostic methods
12. IPMN
13. Neuroendocrine tumors
14. Conclusions
15. Acknowledgements
16. References

1. ABSTRACT

Pancreatic cancer remains a disease with a dismal prognosis due mostly to its late diagnosis. An early diagnosis would have a significant impact on the prognosis and, eventually, on the incidence of the disease itself. Many progresses have been made in the molecular diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. High risk patients would likely benefits from biologic screening, before the general population. Most of the markers remain limited to phase I and II studies. The challenges include the lack of specificity of some of the markers, as well as the lack of standardization within the laboratories. Further research is necessary prior to the application of the currently known biomarkers for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.