Prognostic significance of PINCH signalling in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Objective: Prognostic markers for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) have failed to accurately predict patient prognosis. Recently, interest has developed in the accuracy of integrin-associated PINCH protein expression in human cancers as a predictive marker of tumour status. The goal of this study was to define the expression of PINCH protein in PDA. Methods: Human PDA samples and orthotopic tumours from a murine model were analysed by immunohistochemistry for PINCH expression. In the animal model, PINCH expression was compared between primary and metastatic tumours. In the human samples, PINCH expression was correlated with stage, nodal involvement, margin status and overall survival. Results: In the murine model, there was greater PINCH expression in metastatic tumours than in primary tumours. In the human PDA samples, greater staining for PINCH in the tumour cells was correlated with higher T status. Additionally, high PINCH expression in the stroma was associated with decreased overall survival. Conclusions: Findings of increased PINCH protein in more advanced stages of human PDA, as well as in metastatic tumours in the animal model, support the hypothesis that PINCH is an important controller of cell survival and migration. Additionally, the importance of the differential expression of PINCH in the human tumour and stroma warrants further evaluation.