Plectin-1 is a biomarker of malignant pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms.
BACKGROUND
Pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) are now identified with increasing frequency. The detection of carcinoma in IPMN is difficult and suffers from high false-positive and false-negative rates, often resulting in inappropriate treatment decisions. Improved detection of malignancy using novel biomarkers may therefore improve diagnostic accuracy. One such promising novel biomarker is Plectin-1 (Plec-1).


METHODS
Using immunohistochemistry, Plec-1 expression was assayed in benign (low and moderate dysplasia, n = 6) as well as malignant IPMN (high-grade dysplasia and invasive carcinoma, n = 31) and lymph node metastases from carcinoma arising in IPMN (n = 12). Furthermore, cyst fluids from benign (n = 3) and malignant IPMN (n = 4) were evaluated for Plec-1 expression.


CONCLUSIONS
Twenty-six of 31 malignant IPMN and all 12 lymph node metastases were Plec-1 positive. In contrast, only one of six benign IPMN expressed Plec-1. The specificity of Plec-1 in distinguishing malignant IPMN from benign IPMN was 83% and its sensitivity 84%. Furthermore, all (four out of four) cyst fluids from malignant IPMN, but none of the three benign IPMN, were Plec-1 positive. These data support Plec-1 as an excellent biomarker for the early detection of carcinoma arising in IPMN.
Bausch
Dirk
D
Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114-2622, USA.
Mino-Kenudson
Mari
M
Fernández-Del Castillo
Carlos
C
Warshaw
Andrew L
AL
Kelly
Kimberly A
KA
Thayer
Sarah P
SP
D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000231:Adenocarcinoma, Papillary / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D010181:Pancreatic Cyst; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D051190:Plectin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
C495332:PLEC protein, human; D051190:Plectin