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Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research

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Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research

PIM-1 contributes to the malignancy of pancreatic cancer and displays diagnostic and prognostic value

Authors: Jianwei Xu, Guangbing Xiong, Zhe Cao, Hua Huang, Tianxiao Wang, Lei You, Li Zhou, Lianfang Zheng, Ya Hu, Taiping Zhang, Yupei Zhao

Published in: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Background

The effects of PIM-1 on the progression of pancreatic cancer remain unclear, and the prognostic value of PIM-1 levels in tissues is controversial. Additionally, the expression levels and clinical value of PIM-1 in plasma have not been reported.

Methods

The effects of PIM-1 on biological behaviours were analysed. PIM-1 levels in tissues and plasma were detected, and the clinical value was evaluated.

Results

We found that PIM-1 knockdown in pancreatic cancer cells suppressed proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest, enhanced apoptosis, resensitized cells to gemcitabine and erlotinib treatment, and inhibited ABCG2 and EZH2 mRNA expression. Our results indicated that PIM-1 and the EGFR pathway formed a positive feedback loop. We also found that PIM-1 expression in pancreatic cancer tissues was significantly upregulated and that a high level of expression was negatively associated with prognosis (P = 0.025, hazard ratio [HR] =2.113, 95 % confidence interval: 1.046–4.266). Additionally, we found that plasma PIM-1 levels in patients with pancreatic cancer were significantly increased and could be used in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. High plasma PIM-1 expression was an independent adverse prognostic factor for pancreatic cancer (P = 0.037, HR = 1.87, 95 % CI: 1.04–3.35).

Conclusion

Our study suggests that PIM-1 contributes to malignancy and has diagnostic and prognostic value in pancreatic cancer.

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Title: PIM-1 contributes to the malignancy of pancreatic cancer and displays diagnostic and prognostic value
Authors: Jianwei Xu
Guangbing Xiong
Zhe Cao
Hua Huang
Tianxiao Wang
Lei You
Li Zhou
Lianfang Zheng
Ya Hu
Taiping Zhang
Yupei Zhao
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1756-9966
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-016-0406-z

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Abstract

Background

Methods

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Conclusion

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