PDX-1 mRNA expression in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle cytoaspirate: Perspectives in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Issue 2 (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marzioni, Marco; Germani, Ugo; Agostinelli, Laura; Bedogni, Giorgio; Saccomanno, Stefania; Marini, Francesco; Bellentani, Stefano; Barbera, Carmelo; De Minicis, Samuele; Rychlicki, Chiara; Santinelli, Alfredo; Ferretti, Maurizio; Di Maira, Pier Vittorio; Baroni, Gianluca Svegliati; Benedetti, Antonio; Caletti, Giancarlo; Lorenzini, Ivano; Fusaroli, Pietro
• Is Part Of: Digestive and liver disease. Volume 47:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 138
• Page End: 143
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: EUS -- FNA -- Pancreatic cancer -- PDX-1 -- Sensitivity -- Specificity; Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.33005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2014.10.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1590-8658

Abstract

Abstract: Background and aims: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration is routinely used in the diagnostic work up of pancreatic cancer but has a low sensitivity. Studies showed that Pancreatic Duodenal Homeobox-1 (PDX-1) is expressed in pancreatic cancer, which is associated with a worse prognosis. We aimed to verify whether the assessment of PDX-1 in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration samples may be helpful for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Methods: mRNA of 54 pancreatic cancer and 25 cystic lesions was extracted. PDX-1 expression was assessed by Real-Time PCR. Results: In all but two patients with pancreatic cancer, PDX-1 was expressed and was found positive in 7 patients with pancreatic cancer in which cytology was negative. The positivity was associated with a probability of 0.98 (95% CI 0.90–1.00) of having cancer and the negativity with one of 0.08 (95% CI 0.01–0.27). The probability of cancer rose to 1.00 (95% CI 0.97–1.00) for patients positive to both PDX-1 and cytology and fell to 0.0 (95% CI 0.00–0.15) in patients negative for both. Conclusions: PDX-1mRNA is detectable in samples of pancreatic cancer. Its quantification may be helpful to improve the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.