Expression of sonic hedgehog and EGFR in human pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expression of Sonic hedgehog(SHH)and EGFR signaling pathways in human pancreatic cancer.Methods Reveme transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)and Western blot assay were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of SHH and EGFR in human pancreatic cancer tissue and normal tissues adjacent to cancer.Resuits The SHH mRNA and protein expression was detectable in 81.6%and 79.6%of pancreatic cancer.respectively.The EGFR mRNA and protein expression was both 73.5%in pancreatic cancer tissues.These was significant difference from that of normal tissue adjacent to cancer(P＜0.05).The expression of SHH and EGFR protein in pancreatic cancer had no correlation with age,tumor size,pathological type and tumor site(P＞0.05),but had a relationship with lymph node metastasis and TNM stage(P＜0.05).The relationship between SHH and EGFR protein was positive(r=0.232,P＜0.05).Conclusion The SHH and EGFR signaling pathways were active in human pancreatic cancer.The crosstalk between these pathways may play an important role in the carcinogenesis and development of pancreatic carcinoma. Key words: Pancreas; Tumor; EGFR