Histogenesis of pancreatic carcinogenesis in the hamster: ultrastructural evidence

Journal Article · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8456187· OSTI ID:5824554

Flaks, B

Pancreatic carcinogenesis in the Syrian hamster, induced by ..beta..-oxidized derivatives of N-nitroso-di-n-propylamine, constitutes a valuable model of human cancer of the exocrine pancreas. In both species the majority of tumors are adenocarcinomas: superficially, on the basis of their histological appearance, these appear to be ductal in origin. However, sequential analysis, by electron microscopy, of the development of pancreatic neoplasia in the hamster model indicates that acinar cells may participate in the histogenesis of ductal adenomas and carcinomas. Acinar cells appear to undergo changes in differentiation, including pseudoductular transformation, giving rise to a new population of cells that resemble ductular or centroacinar types. This new population may then proliferate to form, first, cystic foci and subsequently cytadenomas and adenocarcinomas. Mucous metaplasia appears to develop at late stages of tumor development. Although the participation of ductular and centroacinar cells in pancreatic carcinogenesis cannot be excluded, very few tumors arise from the ductal epithelium. It is possible that some human pancreatic adenocarcinomas may also have their origin from dysplastic acinar cells, by analogy with the hamster model: focal acinar dyplasia being common in human pancreatic cancer patients. 90 references, 18 figures.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Bristol Medical School, England
• OSTI ID: 5824554
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 56; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550900 -- Pathology
560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AMINES
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL MODELS
BODY
CARCINOGENESIS
CARCINOMAS
CELL DIFFERENTIATION
CELL PROLIFERATION
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISEASES
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
GLANDS
HAMSTERS
MAMMALS
MICROSCOPY
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
NEOPLASMS
NITROSO COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PANCREAS
PATHOGENESIS
RODENTS
TOXICITY
ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES
VERTEBRATES