The Loss of <i>SMAD4/DPC4</i> Expression Associated with a Strongly Activated Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Predicts Poor Prognosis in Resected Pancreatic Cancer

Xu, Jin-Zhi; Wang, Wen-Quan; Zhang, Wu-Hu; Xu, Hua-Xiang; Gao, He-Li; Zhang, Shi-Rong; Wu, Chun-Tao; Li, Shuo; Li, Hao; Xu, Jin; Yu, Xian-Jun; Liu, Liang

doi:10.7150/jca.30883

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J Cancer 2019; 10(17):4123-4131. doi:10.7150/jca.30883 This issue Cite

Research Paper

The Loss of SMAD4/DPC4 Expression Associated with a Strongly Activated Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Predicts Poor Prognosis in Resected Pancreatic Cancer

Jin-Zhi Xu^1,2,3,4#, Wen-Quan Wang^1,2,3,4✉, Wu-Hu Zhang^1,2,3,4#, Hua-Xiang Xu^1,2,3,4, He-Li Gao^1,2,3,4, Shi-Rong Zhang^1,2,3,4, Chun-Tao Wu^1,2,3,4, Shuo Li^1,2,3,4, Hao Li^1,2,3,4, Jin Xu^1,2,3,4, Xian-Jun Yu^1,2,3,4✉, Liang Liu^1,2,3,4✉

1. Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
2. Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
3. Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.
4. Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
^#Jin-Zhi Xu and Wu-Hu Zhang contributed equally to this work.

Citation:

Xu JZ, Wang WQ, Zhang WH, Xu HX, Gao HL, Zhang SR, Wu CT, Li S, Li H, Xu J, Yu XJ, Liu L. The Loss of SMAD4/DPC4 Expression Associated with a Strongly Activated Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Predicts Poor Prognosis in Resected Pancreatic Cancer. J Cancer 2019; 10(17):4123-4131. doi:10.7150/jca.30883. https://www.jcancer.org/v10p4123.htm

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Abstract

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression is mediated by mutations in driver genes and a complex stroma that is mainly dependent on the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway. However, the association between driver genes and Shh-pathway proteins and their potential prognostic significance remain unclear.

Methods: We analyzed protein expressions of the KRAS, TP53, SMAD4, and CDKN2A/P16 driver genes and the Shh-pathway molecules, including Shh, glioma-associated oncogene (Gli) 1, Gli2, and smoothened (SMO) by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarrays in 237 patients with resectable PDAC and statistically determined their prognostic significance.

Results: SMAD4^lost mutation was associated with shorter survival outcomes [overall survival (OS): Hazard ratio (HR) 1.887, p < 0.001]; recurrence-free survival (RFS): HR 1.886, p < 0.001) and abnormal p53 immunolabeling was associated with poor OS (HR 1.436, p = 0.011) in patients with PDAC. The mutational status of p16 had no effect on patient survival. High levels of SMO and Gli1 expression were associated with poor survival outcomes in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Pearson's χ² test showed a medium correlation between the SMAD4^lost mutation and Shh (R = 0.343) and Gli1 (R = 0.505) expression levels (p < 0.001). Patients with the SMAD4^lost mutation and high levels of Shh and Gli1 expression showed the poorest survival outcomes (RFS: HR 2.976; OS: HR 3.598; p < 0.001 for both) compared with other patients in the study.

Conclusion: Loss of SMAD4 associated with a strongly activated Shh pathway resulted in poor survival outcomes in patients with resected PDAC.

Keywords: pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, Hedgehog signaling pathway, driver genes, SMAD4/DPC4, prognosis

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APA

Xu, J.Z., Wang, W.Q., Zhang, W.H., Xu, H.X., Gao, H.L., Zhang, S.R., Wu, C.T., Li, S., Li, H., Xu, J., Yu, X.J., Liu, L. (2019). The Loss of SMAD4/DPC4 Expression Associated with a Strongly Activated Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Predicts Poor Prognosis in Resected Pancreatic Cancer. Journal of Cancer, 10(17), 4123-4131. https://doi.org/10.7150/jca.30883.

ACS

Xu, J.Z.; Wang, W.Q.; Zhang, W.H.; Xu, H.X.; Gao, H.L.; Zhang, S.R.; Wu, C.T.; Li, S.; Li, H.; Xu, J.; Yu, X.J.; Liu, L. The Loss of SMAD4/DPC4 Expression Associated with a Strongly Activated Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Predicts Poor Prognosis in Resected Pancreatic Cancer. J. Cancer 2019, 10 (17), 4123-4131. DOI: 10.7150/jca.30883.

NLM

CSE

Xu JZ, Wang WQ, Zhang WH, Xu HX, Gao HL, Zhang SR, Wu CT, Li S, Li H, Xu J, Yu XJ, Liu L. 2019. The Loss of SMAD4/DPC4 Expression Associated with a Strongly Activated Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Predicts Poor Prognosis in Resected Pancreatic Cancer. J Cancer. 10(17):4123-4131.

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