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Review
. 2018 Aug 22;18(3):149-155.
doi: 10.3727/105221618X15216414278706. Epub 2018 Mar 26.

Liver and Pancreas: Do Similar Embryonic Development and Tissue Organization Lead to Similar Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis?

Elsa Ghurburrun  1 , Ivan Borbath  2 , Frédéric P Lemaigre  1 , Patrick Jacquemin  1
Affiliations
Review

Liver and Pancreas: Do Similar Embryonic Development and Tissue Organization Lead to Similar Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis?

Elsa Ghurburrun et al. Gene Expr. .

Abstract

The liver and pancreas are closely associated organs that share a common embryological origin. They display amphicrine properties and have similar exocrine organization with parenchymal cells, namely, hepatocytes and acinar cells, secreting bile and pancreatic juice into the duodenum via a converging network of bile ducts and pancreatic ducts. Here we compare and highlight the similarities of molecular mechanisms leading to liver and pancreatic cancer development. We suggest that unraveling tumor development in an organ may provide insight into our understanding of carcinogenesis in the other organ.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Summary of similarities and differences between liver and pancreatic cancers reported in this article.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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