A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
The possible dual role of Ang-2 in the prognosis of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Roos-Mattila Matilda, Kaprio Tuomas, Mustonen Harri, Hagström Jaana, Saharinen Pipsa, Haglund Caj, Seppänen Hanna
Publisher: Nature Research
Publication year: 2023
Journal: Scientific Reports
Journal name in source: Scientific Reports
Article number: 18725
Volume: 13
Issue: 1
ISSN: 2045-2322
eISSN: 2045-2322
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-45194-0
Web address : https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-45194-0
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/181727314
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) features a dense desmoplastic stroma, which raises the intratumoral interstitial pressure leading to vascular collapse and hypoxia, inducing angiogenesis. Vascular growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), increase in PDAC. A high VEGF and a high circulating Ang-2 associate with shorter survival in PDAC. In addition to the circulatory Ang-2, PDAC endothelial and epithelial cells express Ang-2. No correlation between tumor epithelial nor endothelial cell Ang-2 expression and survival has been published. We aimed to examine Ang-2 expression and survival. This study comprised PDAC surgical patients at Helsinki University Hospital in 2000–2013. Ang-2 immunohistochemistry staining was completed on 168 PDAC patient samples. Circulating Ang-2 levels were measured using ELISA in the sera of 196 patients. Ang-2 levels were assessed against clinical data and patient outcomes. A low tumor epithelial Ang-2 expression predicted shorter disease-specific survival (DSS) compared with a high expression (p = 0.003). A high serum Ang-2 associated with shorter DSS compared with a low circulating Ang-2 (p = 0.016). Ang-2 seemingly plays a dual role in PDAC survival. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms causing tumor cell Ang-2 expression and its positive association with survival.
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