Translating knowledge into policy: Organizational model and minimum requirements for the implementation of a regional pancreas unit network

Pancreatic and periampullary cancers pose significant challenges in oncological care due to their complexity and diagnostic difficulties. Global experiences underscore the crucial role of multidisciplinary collaboration and centralized care in improving patient outcomes in this context. Recognizing these challenges, Lombardy, Italy's most populous region, embarked on establishing pancreas units across its territory to enhance clinical outcomes and organizational efficiency. This initiative, driven by a multistakeholder approach involving the Lombardy Welfare Directorate, clinicians, and a patient association, emphasizes the centralization of complex care in high-volume hospitals, adopting a hub-and-spoke model and a multidisciplinary approach. This article outlines the process and criteria set forth for pancreas unit implementation, aiming to provide a structured framework for enhancing pancreatic cancer care. Central to this initiative is the establishment of structured criteria and minimal requirements, not only for surgery but also for other essential components of care, ensuring a comprehensive approach to pancreatic cancer management. The Lombardy model offers a structured framework for enhancing pancreatic cancer care, with potential applicability to other regions and countries seeking to improve their cancer care infrastructur

Effect of genistein on cholesterol metabolism-related genes in a colon cancer cell line

The major soy-derived isoflavones such as genistein has been demonstrated to possess anticarcinogenic activity in animal model systems. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of isoflavone genistein exposure at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 50 μM on the LDL receptor and HMG-CoA reductase gene expression in the estrogen receptor positive DLD-1 human colon cancer cell line. LDL receptor and HMG-CoA reductase gene expressions were evaluated by reverse transcription followed by real-time PCR. Genistein induced an increase of LDL receptor gene expression and later decrease of HMG-CoA reductase mRNA expression in DLD-1 cells. These findings provide direct evidence on the role of genistein in regulating LDL receptor and HMG-CoA reductase gene expression in colon cancer