ObjectiveTo summarize the therapeutic targets of pancreatic cancer (PC). MethodsThe related literatures about the therapeutic targets of PC were reviewed. ResultsPC was one of the most challenging tumor in worldwide, and was characterized as a highly aggressive disease with poor overall prognosis and a high mortality rate. The hallmark of PC was its poor response to radio-and chemo-therapy. Current chemotherapeutic regimens could not provide substantial survival benefit with a clear increase in overall survival. Recently, several new approaches which could significantly improve the clinical outcome of PC had been described, involving signal-transduction pathways, immune response, stroma reaction, and epigenetic changes. ConclusionsMany therapeutic targets are involved in the treatment of PC. As current therapies failed to significantly improve the progression and the survival of PC, new therapeutic approaches and clinical studies are strongly required.
Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of survivin antisense oligonucleotides (ASODN) on proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells PANC-1. Methods The ASODN and sense oligodeoxynucleotides (SODN) were complementary to survivin sequences. FAM-marked ASODN was transfected into PANC-1 cells mediated by positive ion liposome as ASODN group. Blank control group (normal cells), negative control group (normal medium)， and SODN group were established for comparison. The transfection efficiency was detected by flow cytometry (FCM) after transfection; MTT assay was used to detect cytotoxicity; Cell morphological changes were examined by transmission electron microscopy; The cell cycle and apoptotic rate were analyzed by FCM; Immunohistochemical staining techniques were used, and the expressions of survivin were observed under light microscopy, examined and analysed by computer image. Results ①The transfection efficiency was 31.9%, 37.4%, 41.4%, 52.6%, 24.2%, 11.4%, 16.1%, and 15.5% when the transfecting concentration of ASODN was 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 400, 600, and 800 nmol/L, respectively; The transfection efficiency was 12.0%, 50.8%, and 11.2% when the inoculated cells was 2×104/well, 2×105/well, and 2×106/well, respectively; The transfection efficiency was 58.8%, 34.0%, and 23.6% when 2 μl, 3 μl, and 4 μl liposome was used during transfection, respectively. ②Cell gap was oversize, morphous was round, adherent cells were less after transfection under fluorescence microscope. ③The inhibition rate in the ASODN group was higher than that in each control group (Plt;0.05) on 24, 36, 48 h after treating by survivin ASODN, which increased as time prolonged (Plt;0.05). ④The apoptosis showed a ladder-shaped line in the ASODN group. ⑤Apoptotic morphology was demonstrated in the ASODN group, such as apoptotic cells with nuclear chromatin highly concentrated, crescent nuclear staining aggregated by the side nuclear membrane, nucleolus disappeared by AO and EB stains. ⑥The apoptotic rate 〔（38.1±3.4）%〕 in the ASODN group was higher than that in the SODN group 〔（4.16±1.7）%〕, Plt;0.05. ⑦G2/M cell cycle arrested in the ASODN group. ⑧After transfection, the expression of survivin protein in the ASODN group was significantly lower than that of each control group (Plt;0.05). Conclusions The optimal transfection conditions are as following: the cell count of 2×105/well, concentration of ASODN 200 nmol/L, and cationic liposome oligofectamine 2 μl, respectively. Survivin ASODN can inhibit the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells and induce their apoptosis.
Objective To investigate the invasion ability of Panc-1 cells in vivo and in vitro af ter being t ransfected with tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 gene ( TFPI-2) . Methods The expression vector pEGFP-C1-TFPI-2 was transfected into human pancreatic cancer line Panc-1 cells by using liposome. TFPI-2 mRNA and protein of transfected and nontransfected cells were detected by reverse t ranscription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot respectively. The tumor cells invasive behavior of t ransfected ( Panc-1-TFPI-2) and nontransfected ( Panc-1-V and Panc-1-P) cells were assessed in vitro through Boyden Chamber method. The transfected and nontransfected cells were implanted into nude mice to observe it s growth and metastasis in vivo. Results Expressions of mRNA and protein of TFPI-2 were confirmed in transfected cells. Af ter TFPI-2 t ransfection , the number of Panc-1-TFPI-2 , Panc-1-V and Panc-1-P cells passing through membrane of Boyden Chamber were 24. 4 ±3. 5 ,61. 3 ±4. 1 and 60. 2 ±3. 9 , respectively. The number of TFPI-2-expressing cells to t raverse a Matrigel-coated membrane was obviously decreased compared with that of non-expressing cells , the invasion ability was lower than that before transfection in vitro. The subcutaneous tumor volume of the Panc-1-TFPI-2 group was (438. 0 ±69. 8) mm3 , the Panc-1-V group was (852. 0 ±102. 9) mm3 and the Panc-1-P group was (831. 0 ±78. 1) mm3 , P lt; 0. 05. The metastasis to liver and lung and muscular invasion occurred in the Panc-1-V group and the Panc-1-P group. There were no muscular invasion and metastatic lesions in the Panc-1-TFPI-2 group. Conclusion TFPI-2 gene expression may obviously inhibit the invasion ability of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo , which provides an experimental basis for the treatment of human pancreatic cancer by gene therapy.
Objective To investigate the inhibitory effects of RNA interference (RNAi) expression vector on the expression of survivin in pancreatic cancer cell PANC-1. Methods The protein and mRNA expressions of survivin were examined with immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. The survivin gene was cloned into the T-vector and sequenced. The RNAi expression vectors targeting survivin, named si-svv-1 and si-svv-2 respectively according to whether they harbored a mutation or no mutation, were constructed and transfected into PANC-1 cells with liposome. The expression of survivin mRNA was detected with RT-PCR. Apoptosis of PANC-1 cells was analyzed with DNA ladder and FACS. Results There was a high degree expression of survivin in PANC-1 cells. The expression of survivin was not inhibited by RNAi expression vectors si-svv-1, but inhibited about (72.43±8.04)% by si-svv-2 and the apoptosis rate of PANC-1 cells increased to （12.36±1.44）% after 72 h. Conclusion The RNAi expression vector can effectively inhibit the expression of survivin in pancreatic cancer cell PANC-1 cells and induce the apoptosis in PANC-1 cells.
Objective To investigate the expressions of CXCR4 and β-catenin in pancreatic cancer, explore the relationship between them, and explore the possible biomarkers about invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Methods Forty-eight samples of pancreatic cancer and 20 samples of normal pancreas tissues were selected. The expressions of CXCR4 and β-catenin were examined by the immunohistological technique. Spearman, Chi-square， and rank test were used to analyze the relation between the protein expressions and clinical characteristics. Survival analysis was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier product limit method and Log-rank test. Variables were evaluated by Cox proportional hazards analysis. The size of test was 0.05. Results The positive expression rates of CXCR4 and β-catenin in pancreatic cancer tissues were 85.4% (41/48) and 75.0% (36/48), respectively. Co-expression rate of CXCR4 and β-catenin was 70.8% (34/48). There were significant differences between various CXCR4 staining and lymph node metastasis and TNM stage (P=0.012, 0.005, respectively). β-catenin positive expression was associated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.047). However, abnormal β-catenin positive expression could not determine the clinical survival. Kaplan-Meier estimated curves suggested that clinical prognosis was poor for patients with CXCR4 expression. Multivariate analysis showed that CXCR4, late TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic factors for pancreatic cancer. Conclusions Both CXCR4 and β-catenin abnormally express in pancreatic cancer. CXCR4 may be an important marker for pancreatic cancer progression.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the influence of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer on survival. MethodsWe comprehensively searched databases including The Cochrane Library (Issue 11, 2013), PubMed, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data from inception to December 2013 to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the influencing on survival of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer patients after operation. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality of included studies. Then meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsA total of 7 RCTs involving 1 079 patients were included (544 cases and 535 controls). The results of meta-analysis showed that, compared with single radical correction, the patients with adjuvant chemotherapy were better in prolonging total survival time (WMD=5.45, 95%CI 2.52 to 8.39, P=0.000 3), and increasing 2-year (RR=1.17, 95%CI 1.01 to 1.35, P=0.03) as well as 5-year survival rates (RR=1.80, 95%CI 1.24 to 2.62, P=0.002) with significant differences. But for 1-year survival rates, no significant difference was found between the two groups (RR=1.02, 95%CI 0.94 to 1.11, P=0.65). ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy should be applied after resection of pancreatic cancer.
Objective To study the basic and clinical achievements in diagnosis and therapy of hereditary pancreatitis. Methods Related literatures of recent years were reviewed. Results Hereditary pancreatitis was a rare type of pancreatitis, with an estimated penetrance of 80%, and was believed to be caused by a mutation in the cationic trypsinogen gene. Patients with hereditary pancreatitis had a high frequency of pancreatic cancer.Conclusion The progress has been made on hereditary pancreatitis and has given us many useful suggestions for a better understanding about this difficult medical problem.
ObjectiveTo study the effects of angiogenesis inhibitor SU5416 on the microvessel density(MVD) of pancreatic cancer and to evaluate its influence on the growth and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Methods A rat model of pancreatic cancer was established with dimethylbenzanthracine(DMBA). 60 rats with pancreatic cancer were randomly divided into 4 groups: saline group, 5-Fu group, SU5416 group, 5-Fu and SU5416 group. Thirteen weeks after injection, the microvascular density (MVD) of pancreatic cancer was detected.Results The microvascular densities (MVD) were (12.3±3.2)%, (11.4±3.8)%, (2.1±1.5)% and (1.8±1.1)% in the saline group, 5-Fu group, SU5416 group and 5-Fu+SU5416 group respectively. The MVDs in the SU5416 group and 5Fu+SU5416 group were statistically lower than those in the saline group and 5-Fu group(P＜0.05). There was no significant difference between the 5-Fu group and saline group(Pgt;0.05). ConclusionSU5416 can inhibit the microvascular growth in pancreatic cancer. And the inhibition can be enhanced when combined with chemotheraputic drugs.
Objective To detect the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and LDH isoenzyme, and to explore the relation between biological behavior ofpancreatic cancer and glycolysis. MethodsConsecutive 12 cases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and 12 benign lesions such as insulinoma from October 2006 to July 2008 were collected, as well as normal pancreatic tissues. The total activity of the LDH was detected by the LDH testing kits, and the iosenzyme pattern of LDH was inspected by the France Sebia hydrasys. ResultsCompared to the normal tissue, LDH activity ofpancreatic cancer and adjacent non-cancerous tissue was significantly higher (P＜0.05). LDH iosenzyme pattern in cancer tissue was also significantly different, the percentage of LDH4 and LDH5 increased obviously, and were greater than that innormal tissue (P＜0.05). ConclusionThe alteration of LDH activity and its isoenzyme pattern are possibly related to the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer. Inhibit the LDH activity may be a new therapeutic strategy.
Objective To summarize the progress of endoscopic diagnosis and therapy for pancreatic cancer. Methods Domestic and international publications online involving progress of diagnosis and therapy for pancreatic cancer by using endoscope in recent years were collected and reviewed. Results Recently, early diagnostic rate of pancreatic cancer increased with the development of endoscope and endoscopic technique such as endoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration, peroral pancreatoscopy, optical coherence tomography, ERCP, and cytology in pancreatic juice. Furthermore, varied therapies such as endoscopic ultrasound guided celiac plexus neurolysis, implantation of iodine 125-particles or pancreatic duct/bile duct stents were performed by endoscope for advanced pancreatic cancer. Conclusion Early diagnostic rate and novel therapeutic alternative of pancreatic cancer are supplied by digestive endoscopy.