Progress of pancreatitis-cancer transformation

Pancreatitis is one of the important risk factors in the occurrence of pancreatic neoplasms. Several inflammation-related transcription factors and pathways have been confirmed to be involved in the carcinogenesis, but molecular mechanisms of pancreatitis-cancer transformation are still unclear, which largely limits the further development of potential anti-tumor drugs. Thus, it is important to figure out the underlying molecular mechanisms of pancreatitis-cancer transformation. This paper reviews the main biological characteristics, relevant important signaling pathways, clinical intervention strategies of pancreatitis-cancer transformation. Key words: Pancreatic neoplasms; Pancreatitis, chronic; Cancer transformation; Signal pathways; Antineoplastic protocols