Pancreatitis-Induced Inflammation Contributes to Pancreatic Cancer by Inhibiting Oncogene-Induced Senescence

SummaryPancreatic acinar cells of adult mice (≥P60) are resistant to transformation by some of the most robust oncogenic insults including expression of K-Ras oncogenes and loss of p16Ink4a/p19Arf or Trp53 tumor suppressors. Yet, these acinar cells yield pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (mPanIN) and ductal adenocarcinomas (mPDAC) if exposed to limited bouts of non-acute pancreatitis, providing they harbor K-Ras oncogenes. Pancreatitis contributes to tumor progression by abrogating the senescence barrier characteristic of low-grade mPanINs. Attenuation of pancreatitis-induced inflammation also accelerates tissue repair and thwarts mPanIN expansion. Patients with chronic pancreatitis display senescent PanINs, providing they have received antiinflammatory drugs. These results support the concept that antiinflammatory treatment of people diagnosed with pancreatitis may reduce their risk of developing PDAC.

► Adult acinar cells are resistant to multiple oncogenic insults
► Limited bouts of pancreatitis cooperate with K-Ras to induce mPDAC in adult mice
► Pancreatitis abrogates senescence in low-grade PanINs
► Pancreatitis patients have senescent PanINs if treated with antiinflammatory drugs