Aberrant expression of CXCR4 and β-catenin in pancreatic cancer.

AIM The stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) axis and Wingless and INT-1 (Wnt)/β-catenin pathway has been related to cancer progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of CXCR4 and β-catenin in pancreatic cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 48 pancreatic cancer samples and 8 normal pancreatic tissues were selected to detect CXCR4 and β-catenin expression by an immunohistological technique. Spearman and Chi-square analyses were used to study the relation between the protein expression and clinical characteristics. Survival analysis was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier product limit method. RESULTS The proportions of CXCR4 and β-catenin expression on pancreatic cancer cells were significantly higher than in normal pancreas tissues. There was a significant difference in CXRC4 expression levels, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage. Clinical Significance was observed for β-catenin expression and lymph node metastasis; Kaplan-Meier curves suggested that clinical prognosis is poor for patients expressing CXCR4. Multivariate analysis showed that CXCR4 expression was an independent prognostic factor for pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSION Both CXCR4 and β-catenin are abnormally expressed in pancreatic cancer. CXCR4 may be an important marker for pancreatic cancer progression.