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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Expression of chemokine receptor CXCR4 correlates with progression of pancreatic cancer

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14018 Background: Despite many pathophysiological analyses, the process of tumor dissemination of pancreatic cancer remains vague. In diverse other tumor entities, expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 has been linked to tumor dissemination and poor prognosis. Therefore, we evaluated, if the expression of this chemokine receptor exerts similar effects in human pancreatic cancer. Methods: Expression of CXCR4 was evaluated in 120 patients with histologically confirmed pancreatic cancer and eight different pancreatic cancer cell lines. Expression intensities of tumor samples were correlated with both, tumor and patients characteristics. Results: Human pancreatic cancer samples and cell lines displayed variable intensities of CXCR4. CXCR4 revealed predominantly a cytoplasmatic, and in few specimens an additional weak membranous location. Strong CXCR4 expression was significantly associated with progressed disease as indicated by UICC status (P=0.031) and revealed a strong, yet not significant trend with distant tumor cell dissemination and locally progressed tumors (P=0.08; P=0.11, respectively). Conclusion: Strong expression of CXCR4 by pancreatic cancer is significantly associated with progressed tumor stages. No significant financial relationships to disclose.