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Review
. 2016 Oct 10;381(1):217-36.
doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.11.048. Epub 2015 Dec 29.

The lymphatic system and pancreatic cancer

Darci M Fink  1 , Maria M Steele  1 , Michael A Hollingsworth  2
Affiliations
Review

The lymphatic system and pancreatic cancer

Darci M Fink et al. Cancer Lett. .

Abstract

This review summarizes current knowledge of the biology, pathology and clinical understanding of lymphatic invasion and metastasis in pancreatic cancer. We discuss the clinical and biological consequences of lymphatic invasion and metastasis, including paraneoplastic effects on immune responses and consider the possible benefit of therapies to treat tumors that are localized to lymphatics. A review of current techniques and methods to study interactions between tumors and lymphatics is presented.

Keywords: Lymph node; Lymphatics; Pancreatic cancer.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Pancreatic tumor microenvironment and lymph node metastasis
Cells of the tumor microenvironment are essential contributors to tumor growth, lymphatic invasion, and lymph node metastasis. CAFs and TAMs secrete pro-lymphangiogenic factors and proteases needed for lymphangiogenesis and metastasis. Lymphatic vessels act as conduits not only for tumor cell metastasis, but also for immunosuppressive cell and cytokine transport to lymph nodes. Nerves are also another route for pancreatic tumor metastasis and can communicate with lymphatic vessels to facilitate tumor metastasis from one network to the other.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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