Pancreatic cancer stem cells may define tumor stroma characteristics and recurrence patterns in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Abstract Background Herein, we investigate the relationship between pancreatic stem cell markers (PCSC markers), CD44, and epithelial-specific antigen (ESA), tumor stroma, impact on recurrence outcomes in ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients. Methods PDAC patients who underwent surgical resection 01/2012–06/2014 were identified. CD44 ESA expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Stroma classified as loose, moderate, dense based fibroblast content. Overall survival (OS) relapse-free (RFS) estimated using Kaplan-Meier method compared subgroups log-rank test. The association PCSC stroma type Fisher’s exact Results N = 93 number of with dense, moderate density, loose 11 (12%), 51 (54%), 31 (33%) respectively. + /ESA − had highest rate (63%) followed (50%), −/ (35%), (9%) ( p 0.0033). Conversely, lack associated (91% No local observed 9 distant recurrence. cumulative stroma. statistically significant difference RFS OS among P 0.089). Conclusions These data indicate PCSCs may have an important role differentiation PDAC. Our results further suggest that influence pattern