Immunohistochemical expression of NEDD9, E-cadherin and γ-catenin and their prognostic significance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Petra Radulović
• Author: Božo Krušlin
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences

Abstract (english)

Extensive research is being conducted to identify novel diagnostic, predictive and prognostic biomarkers for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
(PDAC), as only a few markers have been routinely used so far with limited success. Our aim was to assess the expression of neural precursor
cell expressed developmentally down-regulated protein 9 (NEDD9), E-cadherin, and γ-catenin in PDAC in relation to clinicopathological
parameters and patient survival. We also investigated if there is a correlation of NEDD9 expression with E-cadherin or γ-catenin. The protein
expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in 61 PDAC and 61 samples of normal pancreatic tissue. The log rank test and Kaplan-
Meier survival curve were used for survival analysis. E-cadherin and γ-catenin expressions were reduced in PDAC, and completely retained
in normal pancreatic tissue. Expression of NEDD9 was significantly increased in PDAC (strong expression in 78.7% of cases and moderate in
21.3%) and reduced in normal pancreatic tissue (strong positivity in 45.9% of cases, moderate in 31.1%, and weak in 23%). There was a positive
correlation between reduced E-cadherin and γ-catenin expression in PDAC (p = 0.015). The loss or reduced expression of E-cadherin had a
negative impact on patient survival (p = 0.020). A negative correlation between E-cadherin expression and tumor grade was also observed
(p = 0.011). Decreased E-cadherin expression was more common in male patients with PDAC (81.3% vs. 60% for females, p = 0.005). γ-catenin
and NEDD9 expressions were not statistically correlated with tumor stage and grade, gender, nor with patient survival. Our results support the
role of NEDD9, E-cadherin and γ-catenin proteins in PDAC, but further research should clarify in detail their mechanism of action in pancreatic
cancer.

• Keywords (english): Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism; Adult; Aged; Antigens, CD/metabolism; Cadherins/metabolism; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/diagnosis; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/metabolism; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatic Neoplasms/diagnosis; Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism; Phosphoproteins/metabolism; Prognosis; gamma Catenin/metabolism
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
• Numbering: vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 246-251
• p-ISSN: 1840-4812
• DOI: https://doi.org/doi:10.17305/bjbms.2018.2378
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:905989
• Publication: 2018-08
• Document URL: http://doi.org/10.17305/bjbms.2018.2378
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-28 10:07:33