Role of TGF beta-1 in Regulating Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Cell Viability

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Introduction: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are heterogeneous neoplasms arising from neuroendocrine cells spread in the respiratory and gastro-entero-pancreatic epithelium. The role of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF b-1) in NET biology is largely unknown. TGF b-1 signaling pathway is tumor suppressive in most non-transformed epithelial cell lines. In contrast, many human carcinomas are refractory to the growth–inhibitory effects of TGF b-1.

Aim(s): To investigate if TGF b-1 may modulate cell viability and apoptosis in NET of the pancreas (pNET) and to understand whether TGF b-1 may influence the effects of therapeutic molecules currently used in the management of pNETs.

Materials and methods: 20 primary cultures obtained from surgical samples of pNETs were treated with TGF b-1 and/or Everolimus, a mTOR inhibitor. Cell viability and caspase activity were evaluated.

Conference: 12th Annual ENETSConcerence (2015)

Presenting Author:

Authors: Falletta S, Gagliano T, Gentilin E, Di Pasquale C, Benfini K,

Keywords: pNET, TGF-b1, Everolimus,

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