PHGDH is an independent prognosis marker and contributes cell proliferation, migration and invasion in human pancreatic cancer

Purpose: To investigate the expression, clinical significance, biological function, and the potential mechanism of PHGDH in pancreatic cancer. Methods: The expression of PHGDH in human pancreatic cancer tissues and corresponding adjacent normal tissues were analyzed through immunohistochemistry staining. Simultaneously, the association between the PHGDH expression and the clinicopathological parameters and OS and DFS was evaluated. Human pancreatic cancer cell line BxPC-3 and SW1990 were selected to investigate the effect of PHGDH knockdown on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In addition, we performed western blot to assess the expression of cyclin and cyclin D1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 protein. Results: Our results suggested that the expression of PHGDH is increased in pancreatic cancer compared with adjacent normal tissues and the increased expression of PHGDH is associated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and TNM state of pancreatic cancer patients. Moreover, the expression of PHGDH is an independent prognostic indicator for pancreatic cancer patients. In addition, we found that knockdown of PHGDH in pancreatic cancer cells inhibits the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities by down-regulating the expression of cyclin B1, and cyclin Dl, MMP-2, and MMP-9. Conclusions: Our data indicated that the expression of PHGDH is increased in pancreatic cancer and is an independent molecular prognostic factor for pancreatic cancer patients. In addition, PHGDH controls cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities. Therefore, PHGDH could serve as an important prognostic indicator and therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.