Overexpression of the adhesion signaling pathway is linked to short-term survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Background and objective: 

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is known for its unfavorable prognosis. Gaining insights into the molecular mechanisms that contribute to its progression is crucial for developing effective therapies. In this study, our objective was to investigate the molecular pathways associated with short-term survival in patients with PDAC. 

Methods: 

Immune profiles were analyzed from both long-term survivors (n = 10) and short-term survivors (n = 10) after surgical resection. Pathway scores were calculated to compare the two groups. 

Results: 

The “Adhesion” pathway emerged as the most significant pathway, exhibiting a notably higher score in the samples of short-term survivors (P < 0.009). Within this pathway, significant findings were observed in genes related to integrins and CEACAM. 

Conclusion: 

The role of integrins in the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer is of utmost importance, as they are found to be overexpressed in short-term survivors. These findings provide valuable insights into the underlying biology of PDAC and have potential implications for the development of therapeutic strategies.