title: Identification of molecular markers specific for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors by genetic profiling of core biopsies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a paucity of known molecular markers that distinguish pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors from other pancreatic tumor types. We hypothesized that novel markers for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors could be identified with molecular fingerprinting of pooled RNA samples from core biopsies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total RNA was harvested from nine core biopsies of normal pancreas, pancreatitis, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma metastases, and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. RNA from each group of samples was pooled and hybridized to an oligonucleotide-based microarray. Four genes (ANG2, NPDC1, ELOVL4, and CALCR) were selected for further investigation by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction from the top 20 highest expressed genes, on the basis of potential as novel markers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neuroendocrine tumors were most unique from normal pancreas. Pancreatitis, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and metastases are more closely related to each other and to normal pancreas. ANG2 was overexpressed in 89% of neuroendocrine tumors, compared with 22% of normal pancreas, making it the best potential molecular marker or therapeutic target of the four genes selected for analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have identified a specific set of molecular markers for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors distinct from pancreatitis and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. These novel markers may prove useful as molecular markers or therapeutic targets unique to pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
authors.affiliation: Surgery, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bloomston
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Durkin
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Mumtaz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rojiani
authors.forename: Alexander S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Rosemurgy
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Enkmann
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Yeatman
authors.forename: Emmanuel E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Zervos
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001706:Biopsy; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm