Expression of LRP16 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and its clinicopathological significance and prognostic value

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the expression of leukemia related protein 16 (LRP16) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and analyze its correlation with clinicopathologic features and prognosis. Methods: Immunohistochemistry for LRP16 was performed in 118 cases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and 34 cases of distal normal pancreatic tissue. The relationship between LRP16 expression and patients' gender, age, tumor size, histologic grade, TNM stage and metastatic status was analyzed. Results: LRP16 expression was detected in 64 of 118 cases of the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and in 6 cases of 34 normal pancreatic tissues. The expression of LRP16 was mainly located in cytoplasm and nucleus of tumor cells. The expression of LRP16 in carcinoma was significantly higher than that in normal pancreatic tissue. LRP16 protein expression was found in 37.3% (28/75) of carcinoma at stage I and II, and 83.7% (36/43) of carcinoma at stage III and IV. Correlation between LRP16 expression and clinicopathological factors was significant with regards lymph node, liver metastasis and TNM stage. The difference of median survival between cancer patients with LRP16 positive expression and those with LRP16 negative expression was statistically significant. Conclusion: The expression of LRP16 may be associated with lymph node, liver metastasis and TNM stage. Thusly, it might be used as a potential marker in predicting prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas.