title: Lgr5 expression, cancer stem cells and pancreatic cancer: results from biological and computational analyses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the relationship between Lgr5 and other stemness markers and pathologic features in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) samples.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 69 samples, Lgr5 was analyzed by qRT-PCR together with a panel of 29 genes. Bioinformatic analysis was carried out to identify a possible pathway regulating Lgr5 expression in PDAC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lgr5 expression was not associated with the expression of tested cancer stem cell markers. Moreover, it was not an independent predictor of survival neither at univariate analysis (p = 0.21) nor at multivariate analysis (p = 0.225).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the lack of correlation between Lgr5 and tested cancer stem cell markers, Lgr5 does not seem to be a potential stemness marker or prognostic factor in PDAC.
authors: Medical Oncology, Polytechnic University of the Marche Region, School of Medicine, United Hospitals, Via Conca 71, 60126 Ancona, Italy.
authors: Kalliopi
authors: K
authors: Andrikou
authors: Matteo
authors: M
authors: Santoni
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Piva
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Bittoni
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Lanese
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Pellei
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Conti
authors: Cristian
authors: C
authors: Loretelli
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Mandolesi
authors: Matteo
authors: M
authors: Giulietti
authors: Marina
authors: M
authors: Scarpelli
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Principato
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Falconi
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Cascinu
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D021441:Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C116884:LGR5 protein, human; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
keywords: Lgr5; cancer stem cell; embryonic signaling pathways; overall survival; pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma