Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.2
3.9
Journals
Biomedicines
Special Issues
Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Cancers: Pathogenesis, Comorbidities and Therapy Updated
share announcement

Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Cancers: Pathogenesis, Comorbidities and Therapy Updated

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Biology and Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 4016

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Consolato M. Sergi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Division of Anatomical Pathology, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada
Interests: gastrointestinal/biliary diseases; metabolic diseases; congenital heart disease; mitochondrial DNA-related cardiomyopathies; carcinogenesis (bone/liver)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Paola Di Carlo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Interests: HIV; tuberculosis; pediatric infectious disease; microbiota in surgery patients
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The pathogeneses of hepatopancreatic cancer and cholangiocellular carcinoma are complex, including the abnormal opening of the pancreatic duct into the bile duct, the ductal plate malformation of the liver, bile stasis, stone formation, chronic inflammation, and liver fluke infection. These factors may affect the functionality of the bile duct mucosa for a long time, triggering carcinogenesis. Inflammation is a common promoting factor that leads to epithelial malignancy. Patients may have complications of biliary infection and suffer from bile duct bleeding and organ failure. Most recently, our group has reported on the biliary microbiome separate to the gut microbiome’s involvement. At present, treatment is mainly in toto surgical resection, combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Organ transplantation is rarely a therapeutic option. For advanced cancers for which we have a limited capacity to accomplish a full resection, biliary drainage surgery is useful. This Special Issue will be devoted to the prompt delivery of reports on new advances in our knowledge with regard to the pathogeneses, comorbidities, and therapies for hepato-pancreato-biliary cancers.

Prof. Dr. Consolato M. Sergi
Dr. Paola Di Carlo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • liver
  • bile
  • cancer
  • microbiome
  • pathogenesis
  • MiRNA, jaundice
  • disease
  • therapy

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

17 pages, 4897 KiB  
Article
To Predict the Prognosis and Immunological Characteristics of Pancreatic Cancer Based on Disulfide-Death Gene Death-Related lncRNA
by Zhihong Liao, Tianxing Dai, Feng Yuan, Kai Li and Guoying Wang
Biomedicines 2025, 13(4), 924; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13040924 - 9 Apr 2025
Viewed by 348
Abstract
Background: Disulfide-dependent cell death, known as disulfide death, plays a pivotal regulatory role in the onset and progression of various cancers including pancreatic cancer. Despite its significance, little attention has been given to the study of disulfide death-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in [...] Read more.
Background: Disulfide-dependent cell death, known as disulfide death, plays a pivotal regulatory role in the onset and progression of various cancers including pancreatic cancer. Despite its significance, little attention has been given to the study of disulfide death-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in pancreatic cancer development and progression. Methods: This study utilized data from the Cancer Genome Atlas Project (TCGA) to analyze the transcriptome of pancreatic cancer. Co-expression analysis of genes associated with disulfide death was performed and six lncRNAs closely linked to disulfide death were identified through univariate and multivariate analysis. These lncRNAs were used to develop clinical prognostic models. The prognostic value of this model was then analyzed and further investigations included pathway enrichment analysis, tumor mutation load analysis, immune cell infiltration analysis, analysis of the tumor microenvironment (TME), and drug sensitivity analysis. Results: The developed prognostic model based on disulfide-associated lncRNAs exhibited significant prognostic value, allowing for reliable predictions of patient outcomes in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). The analysis revealed that the six identified lncRNAs serve as independent prognostic factors, significantly correlating with patient survival and recurrence rates. Additionally, findings indicated notable differences in immune cell infiltration and drug sensitivity between high-risk and low-risk patient groups, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for enhancing treatment efficacy. Conclusions: Our findings revealed six disulfide death-associated lncRNAs with independent prognostic value, offering a crucial indicator for predicting the prognosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) patients. Additionally, the analysis of tumor immune invasion and drug sensitivity provides a novel avenue for controlling tumor invasion and metastasis as well as reducing drug tolerance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Cancers: Pathogenesis, Comorbidities and Therapy Updated)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 22671 KiB  
Article
Radiological Variability in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A 10-Year Single-Center Study on Atypical Presentations and Diagnostic Challenges
by Eleanor Danek, Helen Kavnoudias, Catriona McLean, Jan F. Gerstenmaier and Bruno Di Muzio
Biomedicines 2025, 13(2), 496; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13020496 - 17 Feb 2025
Viewed by 566
Abstract
Background: Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs) are rare but clinically significant tumors with variable radiological presentations that complicate diagnosis. While typical PNENs are well characterized, atypical features, such as cystic or hypoenhancing patterns, are less understood and can lead to diagnostic delays or misdiagnosis. [...] Read more.
Background: Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs) are rare but clinically significant tumors with variable radiological presentations that complicate diagnosis. While typical PNENs are well characterized, atypical features, such as cystic or hypoenhancing patterns, are less understood and can lead to diagnostic delays or misdiagnosis. This study aimed to evaluate atypical radiological presentations of PNENs, focusing on their impact on diagnostic pathways and differentiation from other pancreatic pathologies. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all PNEN cases diagnosed at a single tertiary center between 2010 and 2020. Cases with histopathological confirmation and available cross-sectional imaging were included. Radiological features were categorized as typical (solid and hyperenhancing) or atypical (cystic and hypoenhancing). Demographic, radiological, and pathological data were analyzed. Comparisons between typical and atypical PNENs were performed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Among 77 PNEN cases, 39 met the inclusion criteria. Atypical radiological presentations were identified in 46% of cases, including cystic (18%) and hypoenhancing (28%) lesions. Hypoenhancing PNENs were significantly more likely to present with advanced disease (54% vs. 14% in typical PNENs, p = 0.016). In contrast, none of the cystic PNENs exhibited advanced disease. Atypical PNENs posed greater diagnostic challenges, with alternative diagnoses initially considered in 64% of hypoenhancing and 43% of cystic cases compared to 10% of typical PNENs (p = 0.0042). Conclusions: Atypical PNENs, particularly hypoenhancing lesions, present significant diagnostic challenges and are more likely to be associated with advanced disease. These findings highlight the need for improved recognition of atypical imaging patterns and more precise diagnostic strategies. However, the retrospective design and small cohort size limit the generalizability of our findings. Further multicenter studies are warranted to refine the imaging criteria and optimize the differentiation from other pancreatic neoplasms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Cancers: Pathogenesis, Comorbidities and Therapy Updated)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

12 pages, 480 KiB  
Review
Neuroimmune Interactions in Pancreatic Cancer
by Jun Cheng, Rui Wang and Yonghua Chen
Biomedicines 2025, 13(3), 609; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13030609 - 2 Mar 2025
Viewed by 949
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive primary malignancy, and recent technological advances in surgery have opened up more possibilities for surgical treatment. Emerging evidence highlights the critical roles of diverse immune and neural components in driving the aggressive behavior of PDAC. [...] Read more.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive primary malignancy, and recent technological advances in surgery have opened up more possibilities for surgical treatment. Emerging evidence highlights the critical roles of diverse immune and neural components in driving the aggressive behavior of PDAC. Recent studies have demonstrated that neural invasion, neural plasticity, and altered autonomic innervation contribute to pancreatic neuropathy in PDAC patients, while also elucidating the functional architecture of nerves innervating pancreatic draining lymph nodes. Research into the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies for PDAC, particularly from the perspective of neuroimmune network interactions, represents a cutting-edge area of investigation. This review focuses on neuroimmune interactions, emphasizing the current understanding and future challenges in deciphering the reciprocal relationship between the nervous and immune systems in PDAC. Despite significant progress, key challenges remain, including the precise molecular mechanisms underlying neuroimmune crosstalk, the functional heterogeneity of neural and immune cell populations, and the development of targeted therapies that exploit these interactions. Understanding the molecular events governing pancreatic neuroimmune signaling axes will not only advance our knowledge of PDAC pathophysiology but also provide novel therapeutic targets. Translational efforts to bridge these findings into clinical applications, such as immunomodulatory therapies and neural-targeted interventions, hold promise for improving patient outcomes. This review underscores the need for further research to address unresolved questions and translate these insights into effective therapeutic strategies for PDAC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Cancers: Pathogenesis, Comorbidities and Therapy Updated)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 745 KiB  
Review
Advances in Endoscopic Ultrasound in Pancreatic Cancer Screening, Diagnosis, and Palliative Care
by Wenyu Zhang, Jingzheng Chen, Wei Zhang and Min Xu
Biomedicines 2025, 13(1), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13010076 - 31 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1399
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive malignancy with a profoundly poor prognosis. Clinically, the condition most frequently manifests with symptoms including painless jaundice, abdominal discomfort, and back pain. Early diagnosis and the implementation of effective therapeutic strategies are critical for improving patient survival [...] Read more.
Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive malignancy with a profoundly poor prognosis. Clinically, the condition most frequently manifests with symptoms including painless jaundice, abdominal discomfort, and back pain. Early diagnosis and the implementation of effective therapeutic strategies are critical for improving patient survival outcomes. However, merely 10–20% of patients are diagnosed at an early stage, with the majority presenting at advanced stages, often with metastasis. Consequently, early detection and intervention are crucial for enhancing prognosis. The widespread adoption of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) technology in recent years has significantly enhanced the diagnostic accuracy for pancreatic space-occupying lesions. EUS is increasingly recognized for its pivotal role in alleviating malignant biliary obstruction (MBO), gastric outlet obstruction (GOO), and refractory pain in advanced pancreatic cancer. This article aims to provide an overall review of the current applications of EUS in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer, exploring its advantages and limitations in early screening, diagnosis, and palliative care. Furthermore, this review explores potential future directions in the field, aiming to provide valuable insights to inform and enhance the clinical management of pancreatic cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Cancers: Pathogenesis, Comorbidities and Therapy Updated)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop