Research Progress of Transformation from Chronic Pancreatitis to Cancer

The transformation from inflammation to cancer represents a complex pathological process progressing from an inflammatory state to the formation of malignant tumors. Chronic pancreatitis is a progressively inflammatory and fibrosing disease, predominantly featuring acinar cell atrophy due to cellular damage and fibrosis of the pancreatic parenchyma. This review centers on elucidating how prolonged exposure to a chronic inflammatory environment prompts adaptive changes in acinar cells that may ultimately lead to their conversion into cancerous cells. By delving into the pivotal role of acinar-to-ductal metaplasia, the article investigates the multi-stage pathway of CP progression to pancreatic cancer and the underlying molecular regulatory networks, sheding light on the profound mechanisms of CP's inflammation-driven carcinogenic transformation, thereby furnishing a scientific foundation for devising innovative preventive strategies and therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating or halting this lethal conversion process.