Expression of Trk tyrosine kinase receptor is a biologic marker for cell proliferation and perineural invasion of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a widely known severe malignancy with a poor prognosis. Perineural invasion extending to the extra-pancreat ic nerve plexus, a significant concern in the treatment is frequently prese nt in this cancer. We analyzed immunohistochemical expression of neurotroph ins (NGF, BDNF, NT-3) and the cognate receptors, Trk tyrosine kinase recept or family (TrkA, B, C) and p75NGFR in 28 surgically resected PDAC specimens . A comparative study between several clinicopathologic factors and Trk rec eptors revealed a significant correlation between increased expression of T rkA and cancer proliferation, as well as TrkC and cancer invasion, includin g venous and perineural invasion. The present findings revealed a novel mec hanism in PDAC progression that is mediated via a NTs-Trk interaction.