Genetische Analyse muzinöser Pankreasneoplasien

• Applicant: Dr. Stefan Fritz
• Subject Area: General and Visceral Surgery
• Term: from 2007 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 34732414

An important means in the battle against pancreatic cancer is the study of cystic neoplasms of the pancreas (CNP), which are currently one of the most common indications for pancreatic resection. There are over a dozen different CNP, however they mostly are comprised by serous cystadenomas, mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN), and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). Both IPMNs and MCN are lined by mucinous epithelium that can exhibit various degrees of atypia and there is no question that they can harbour pancreatic carcinoma. As IPMN or MCN patients with carcinoma were 5-12 years older than those with pancreatic ductal carcinoma and their survival is much better, it is suggested that cancer arising in IPMN is a different disease which is more amenable to cure. Furthermore, in main duct IPMN and MCN, the frequency of cancer appears to be much higher than in branch duct IPMNs. We propose to use high-resolution microarray techniques to determine the relation between main and branch duct IPMNs, between IPMNs and MCN, and between these lesions and the more common pancreatic ductal carcinoma. These differences may in part explain the distinct clinical behaviour of these tumors. Hypothesis: Main and branch IPMNs, MCN and common pancreatic ductal carcinoma are genetically distinct, and these differences may in part underlie their clinical behaviour.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor Dr. Andrew L. Warshaw