Different expressions of Wnt5a in pancreatic cancer and precancerous lesions

Abstract

Objective To observe the expression of Wnt5a protein in different pancreatic tissues and to evaluate the role of Wnt5a in the carcinogenesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC),so as to provide new clues for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.Methods Immunohistochemical SP method was used to examine the expressions of Wnt5a protein in 21 normal pancreatic duct tissues,73 pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia(PanIN)-1 tissues,29 PanIN-2,16 PanIN-3 tissues,20 intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm(IPMN) adenoma(IPMA) tissues,13 IPMN-borderline(IPMB) tissues,19 IPMN-carcinoma(IPMC) tissues and 50 PDAC tissues.The correlation of Wnt5a expression with clinicopathologic characteristics and postoperative survival of PDAC patients was analyzed.Results Wnt5a expression increased with the progression of the lesions in the following order: NP(0)→PanIN-1(1.90±1.192)→PanIN-2(3.03±1.322)→PanIN-3(4.88±1.455) or NP(0)→IPMA(1.40±0.940)→IPMB(2.62±1.502)→IPMC(3.00±1.374),and PDAC(3.11±2.635).Wnt5a expression was significantly correlated with tumor proliferation activity,distant metastasis,TNM staging and postoperative survival(P0.05).The median survival periods of PDAC patients with high and low Wnt5 expression were 15 months and 21 months,respectively(P=0.015).Conclusion Wnt5a is involved in the development and progression of PDAC.Enhancement of Wnt5a expression is an early event in PDAC;sustained or over-expression of Wnt5a may affect the proliferation,invasion and metastases of pancreatic cancer cells,and may indicate a poor prognosis.