Endocrine Abstracts

Neuroendocrine tumor cells express a diverse array of activating and inhibitory receptors. Each receptor transduces a signal via individual pathways which often interact or overlap. Common stimulatory receptor families include those for EGF/TGFα, FGF, IGF, PDGF, VEGF, and TGFβ. EGF receptor (Her 1) activation results in several signal transduction cascades including Ras/Raf, MAPK, AKT and JNK leading to DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. Activated MAPK signaling i...

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of GI tract are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that secrete peptides and amines. Small bowel NETs originate from enterochromaffin (EC) cells and secrete chromogranin A (CgA) and serotonin (5-HT). NETs are highly vascular, a reflection of increased tumour related angiogenesis. Adenosine, the major regulator of angiogenesis, is released by enhanced degradation of ATP, during cellular stress, damage and hypoxia.Aims: Aims of...