Perineural invasion (PNI) is an ominous form of cancer progression in which cancer cells invade and track along nerves. PNI occurs most frequently in cancers that affect highly innervated organs, including pancreatic, head and neck, and prostate cancers. It is associated with increased recurrence and poor prognosis.
Richard J. Wong
Research Focus
Physician-scientist Richard Wong studies the mechanisms of cancer cell chemotaxis in perineural invasion.
Publications
- Deborde S, Omelchenko T, Lyubchik A, Zhou Y, She S, McNamara WF, Chernichenko N, Lee SY, Barajas F, Chen CH, Bakst RL, Vakiani E, He S, Hall A, Wong RJ. Schwann cells induce cancer cell dispersion and invasion. J Clin Invest. 2016 Mar 21. pii: 82658. doi: 10.1172/JCI82658. [Epub ahead of print]
- He S, He S, Chen CH, Deborde S, Bakst RL, Chernichenko N, McNamara WF, Lee SY, Barajas F, Yu Z, Al-Ahmadie HA, Wong RJ. The chemokine (CCL2-CCR2) signaling axis mediates perineural invasion. Mol Cancer Res. 2015; 13: 380-90.