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Published in: BMC Cancer 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Expression of estrogen receptor beta correlates with adverse prognosis in resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Authors: Hendrik Seeliger, Ioannis Pozios, Gerald Assmann, Yue Zhao, Mario H. Müller, Thomas Knösel, Martin E. Kreis, Christiane J. Bruns

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

The relevance of estrogen receptor (ER) expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is largely unknown. Clinical trials targeting ER with selective estrogen receptor modulators in pancreatic cancer did not show any benefit. Here, we analyze the impact of recently characterized ER isoform beta on survival in a cohort of patients with resected PDAC.

Methods

Eighty-four patients having undergone pancreatic resection for PDAC at a single institution were identified. Tissue microarrays were constructed of archival tumor specimens. The expression of ER beta was determined by immunohistochemistry and quantified by a system established for estrogen receptor expression in breast cancer. ER beta expression was then correlated with clinicopathological parameters, and univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed.

Results

Nuclear expression of ER beta was found in 31% of tumors. No significant correlation was found between ER beta expression and TNM status, tumor grade, age or sex. Univariate analysis revealed nodal metastasis and the expression of ER beta as factors correlating with a shorter overall survival and disease free survival. When comparing ER beta expression in patients surviving more than 24 months with those who died from the tumor within 12 or 24 months, respectively, a significantly lower ER beta expression was found in the long term survivors. In multivariate analysis, ER beta expression was demonstrated to be an independent predictor of shorter overall survival.

Conclusions

In resected PDAC, expression of ER beta seems to correlate with poor prognosis. These data may help to identify patients who may benefit from additional systemic therapy including selective estrogen receptor modulators.
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Metadata
Title
Expression of estrogen receptor beta correlates with adverse prognosis in resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors
Hendrik Seeliger
Ioannis Pozios
Gerald Assmann
Yue Zhao
Mario H. Müller
Thomas Knösel
Martin E. Kreis
Christiane J. Bruns
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-018-4973-6

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