Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a poor 5-year survival rate of 5%. Biomarkers for the early detection of pancreatic cancer are urgently needed. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) is elevated in the tissues and plasma of patients with PDAC. However, no studies systemically report prognostic significance of plasma TGF-β1 levels in PDAC. In the present study, we assessed the prognostic significance of serum TGF-β levels in patients with PDAC. TGF-β levels were determined in serum from 146 PDAC patients, and 58 patients with benign pancreatic conditions. Regression models were used to correlate TGF-β levels to gender, age, stage, class, and metastasis. Survival analyses were performed using multivariate Cox models. Serum levels of TGF-β1 distinguished PDAC from benign pancreatic conditions (P<0.001) and healthy control subjects (P<0.001). Serum levels of TGF-β also distinguished tumor stage (P=0.002) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.001). High serum levels of TGF-β1 were significantly correlated with reduced patient survival. Multivariate analysis revealed that TGF-β1, lymph node metastasis and tumor stage were independent factors for PDAC survival. Our results indicate that serum TGF-β1 may be used as a potential prognostic marker for PDAC.
Highlights
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most fatal cancers, with a 5-year survival of less than 5% due to its high recurrence rate, despite the multimodality treatments [1]
There was a statistically significant difference between Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-b1) serum levels in patients with PDAC and control groups (Po0.001), but levels were not elevated in patients with benign pancreatic conditions compared to healthy control subjects (P=0.437)
Serum Transforming growth factor (TGF)-b1 levels were significantly related with tumor stage (P=0.001) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.001)
Summary
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most fatal cancers, with a 5-year survival of less than 5% due to its high recurrence rate, despite the multimodality treatments [1]. Only 15% will have early-stage cancers [3]. When resection is possible and followed by adjuvant therapy, the 5-year survival is higher, at 20–30% [4]. It is clear that early detection of smaller tumors is necessary to improve resectability rates and survival. CA 19-9 is currently the gold standard serum biomarker for the diagnosis of PDAC. Recent evidence has supported the utility of CA 19-9 as a prognostic biomarker for PDAC, especially with regards to predicting survival following clinical treatment [5]. CEA is likely the second most used biomarker for PDAC. The past decade has witnessed intensive study and impressive progress in searching for novel biomarkers, but further studies are needed to find more sensitive, specific, and cost-effective biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
