Neuroimmune Interactions in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive primary malignancy, and recent technological advances in surgery have opened up more possibilities for surgical treatment. Emerging evidence highlights the critical roles of diverse immune and neural components in driving the aggressive...

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Main Authors: Jun Cheng, Rui Wang, Yonghua Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Biomedicines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/3/609
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author Jun Cheng
Rui Wang
Yonghua Chen
author_facet Jun Cheng
Rui Wang
Yonghua Chen
author_sort Jun Cheng
collection DOAJ
description Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive primary malignancy, and recent technological advances in surgery have opened up more possibilities for surgical treatment. Emerging evidence highlights the critical roles of diverse immune and neural components in driving the aggressive behavior of PDAC. Recent studies have demonstrated that neural invasion, neural plasticity, and altered autonomic innervation contribute to pancreatic neuropathy in PDAC patients, while also elucidating the functional architecture of nerves innervating pancreatic draining lymph nodes. Research into the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies for PDAC, particularly from the perspective of neuroimmune network interactions, represents a cutting-edge area of investigation. This review focuses on neuroimmune interactions, emphasizing the current understanding and future challenges in deciphering the reciprocal relationship between the nervous and immune systems in PDAC. Despite significant progress, key challenges remain, including the precise molecular mechanisms underlying neuroimmune crosstalk, the functional heterogeneity of neural and immune cell populations, and the development of targeted therapies that exploit these interactions. Understanding the molecular events governing pancreatic neuroimmune signaling axes will not only advance our knowledge of PDAC pathophysiology but also provide novel therapeutic targets. Translational efforts to bridge these findings into clinical applications, such as immunomodulatory therapies and neural-targeted interventions, hold promise for improving patient outcomes. This review underscores the need for further research to address unresolved questions and translate these insights into effective therapeutic strategies for PDAC.
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spelling doaj-art-5784ba9ff44749fd8bb12ca2f5bb5e752025-08-20T02:11:25ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-03-0113360910.3390/biomedicines13030609Neuroimmune Interactions in Pancreatic CancerJun Cheng0Rui Wang1Yonghua Chen2Operating Room, Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, ChinaDivision of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, ChinaDivision of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, ChinaPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive primary malignancy, and recent technological advances in surgery have opened up more possibilities for surgical treatment. Emerging evidence highlights the critical roles of diverse immune and neural components in driving the aggressive behavior of PDAC. Recent studies have demonstrated that neural invasion, neural plasticity, and altered autonomic innervation contribute to pancreatic neuropathy in PDAC patients, while also elucidating the functional architecture of nerves innervating pancreatic draining lymph nodes. Research into the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies for PDAC, particularly from the perspective of neuroimmune network interactions, represents a cutting-edge area of investigation. This review focuses on neuroimmune interactions, emphasizing the current understanding and future challenges in deciphering the reciprocal relationship between the nervous and immune systems in PDAC. Despite significant progress, key challenges remain, including the precise molecular mechanisms underlying neuroimmune crosstalk, the functional heterogeneity of neural and immune cell populations, and the development of targeted therapies that exploit these interactions. Understanding the molecular events governing pancreatic neuroimmune signaling axes will not only advance our knowledge of PDAC pathophysiology but also provide novel therapeutic targets. Translational efforts to bridge these findings into clinical applications, such as immunomodulatory therapies and neural-targeted interventions, hold promise for improving patient outcomes. This review underscores the need for further research to address unresolved questions and translate these insights into effective therapeutic strategies for PDAC.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/3/609pancreatic cancerneuroimmuneperipheral nervous systemimmune systemneuroimmune interactions
spellingShingle Jun Cheng
Rui Wang
Yonghua Chen
Neuroimmune Interactions in Pancreatic Cancer
Biomedicines
pancreatic cancer
neuroimmune
peripheral nervous system
immune system
neuroimmune interactions
title Neuroimmune Interactions in Pancreatic Cancer
title_full Neuroimmune Interactions in Pancreatic Cancer
title_fullStr Neuroimmune Interactions in Pancreatic Cancer
title_full_unstemmed Neuroimmune Interactions in Pancreatic Cancer
title_short Neuroimmune Interactions in Pancreatic Cancer
title_sort neuroimmune interactions in pancreatic cancer
topic pancreatic cancer
neuroimmune
peripheral nervous system
immune system
neuroimmune interactions
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/3/609
work_keys_str_mv AT juncheng neuroimmuneinteractionsinpancreaticcancer
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AT yonghuachen neuroimmuneinteractionsinpancreaticcancer