CD40 expression in pancreatic cancer.
BACKGROUND
CD40, a tumor necrosis factor receptor family member, is expressed in a variety of cell types. This widespread expression suggests that CD40 may play an important role in normal physiology and disease pathogenesis. The objective of the current study was to investigate the expression of CD40, and its association with clinicopathological features and survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.


METHODS
CD40 expression was assessed in 53 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma surgical specimens by immunohistochemistry, and expression was correlated with patient clinicopathological parameters and outcome.


RESULTS
Among 53 pancreatic cancer specimens, CD40 expression was detected in 13 specimens (24.5%), and peritumoral lymphocytes were present in 45 specimens (84.9%). Patients with CD40-positive tumors exhibited prolonged median disease-free survival (DFS) compared with patients with CD40-negative tumors (15.60 +/- 3.87 versus 10.03 +/- 1.92); however, this was not significant (p = 0.845). Patients with peritumoral lymphocytic reaction exhibited prolonged median DFS compared with patients without peritumoral lymphocytes (10.96 +/- 1.40 vs. 7.60 +/- 0.47); however, this was not significant (p = 0.624). Patients with peritumoral lymphocytic reaction exhibited higher median overall survival compared with patients without peritumoral lymphocytes (15.20 +/- 1.78 vs. 10.13 +/- 1.39); however, again this was not significant (p = 0.100).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that CD40 expression on pancreatic cancer cells and peritumoral lymphocytic reaction may serve as prognostic markers.
Tarkan
T
Unek
Ilkay Tugba
IT
Unek
Anil Aysal
AA
Agalar
Ozgul
O
Sagol
Hulya
H
Ellidokuz
Ozge
O
Ertener
Ilhan
I
Oztop
Sedat
S
Karademir
Ugur
U
Yilmaz
Ibrahim
I
Astarcioglu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001706:Biopsy; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D021441:Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010180:Pancreatectomy; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019013:CD40 Antigens