Aberrant brain-type neuronal programs in large-cell pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma

Communications Biology 2026 Open access

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Authors: Olivia Debnath, Hilmar Berger, Katharina M Detjen, Philipp Kirchner, Ilaria Marinoni, Ines Eichhorn, Felix Bolduan, Thomas Conrad, David A. Horst, Roland Eils, Bertram Wiedenmann, Aurel A. Perren
+1 more Naveed Ishaque
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-026-10692-0
Cited by: 0
References: 37

Abstract

Abstract High-grade pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (panNEC) is a rare, aggressive cancer with limited tissue availability. Single-nucleus transcriptomics of five large-cell panNECs revealed two clinically relevant neuroendocrine cell states: one highly proliferative with an aberrant brain-specific neuronal differentiation program and another stress-responsive state enriched for heat stress, hypoxia, and glycolysis. Our findings suggest potential therapeutic vulnerabilities, highlighting the need to evaluate the efficacy of combination therapies.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Advances Neuroblastoma Research and Treatments

Publication details

Journal / source
Communications Biology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publication date
30 July 2026
Language
EN