Erschienen in:
01.05.2013 | Original Article
Activation of the IL-6R/Jak/Stat Pathway is Associated with a Poor Outcome in Resected Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
verfasst von:
Simon M. Denley, Nigel B. Jamieson, Pamela McCall, Karin A. Oien, Jennifer P. Morton, C. Ross Carter, Joanne Edwards, Colin J. McKay
Erschienen in:
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery
|
Ausgabe 5/2013
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Abstract
Background and Objective
Chronic localized pancreatic inflammation in the form of chronic pancreatitis is an established risk factor for human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) development. Constitutive activation of inflammation-related signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)3 signaling has been implicated in the development and progression a number of malignancies, including PDAC. Although, the Janus Kinase (Jak)/Stat pathway is a potential drug target, clinicopathological, molecular, and prognostic features of Stat3-activated PDAC remain uncertain. Our aim was to determine the clinicopathological impact of this inflammatory pathway in resectable PDAC.
Methods
Using a tissue microarray-based cohort of PDAC from 86 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy with curative intent and complete clinicopathological data available, we evaluated expression of the interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R)/Jak/Stat pathway by immunohistochemistry. IL-6R, Jak, phospho (p)-Jak, Stat3, pStat3Tyr705, and pStat3Ser727 were assessed in PDAC and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia. A Cox regression multivariate analysis model was used to determine factors influencing survival. Activation of the IL-6R/Jak/Stat3 pathway was compared with the systemic inflammatory response as measured by serum C-reactive protein levels.
Results
High pJak was associated with reduced overall survival in multivariate analysis when compared with those with moderate or low expression (p = 0.036; hazard ratio (HR) = 1.68) as was pStat3Tyr705 (p < 0.001; HR = 2.66) independent of lymph node status and tumor grade. Patients with a combination of pJakhigh/pStat3Tyr705
high expression had an especially poor prognosis (median survival of 8.8 months; 95 % CI, 4.4–13.2). While the IL-6R/Jak/Stat pathway did not correlate with serum C-reactive protein levels, high pStat3 expression was associated with a reduction in the density of the local tumoral immune response.
Conclusion
Activation of the Jak/Stat3 pathway via phosphorylation was associated with adverse outcome following resection of PDAC with curative intent supporting potential roles for pJak and pStat3 as prognostic biomarkers markers and therapeutic targets.