<i>CD24</i> and <i>APC</i> Genetic Polymorphisms in Pancreatic Cancers as Potential Biomarkers for Clinical Outcome

<div><p>Background</p><p>There are no validated biomarkers that correlate with the prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). The <i>CD24</i> and adenomatous polyposis coli (<i>APC</i>) genes are important in the malignant transformation of gastrointestinal cells. This study examined <i>APC</i> and <i>CD24</i> genetic polymorphisms and their possible impact on survival of patients with PDA.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Clinical and pathological data as well as blood samples for extracting DNA were obtained for 73 patients with PDA. Real-time PCR assessed genetic variants of <i>APC</i> (I1307K and E1317Q), and four different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the <i>CD24</i> gene: C170T (rs52812045), TG1527del (rs3838646), A1626G (rs1058881) and A1056G (rs1058818).</p><p>Results</p><p>The median age at diagnosis was 64 (41–90) years. Thirty-one patients (42.5%) were operable, 16 (22%) had locally advanced disease and 26 (35.5%) had disseminated metastatic cancer. The malignancy-related mortality rate was 84%. Median survival was 14 months (11.25–16.74). Survival was similar for wild-type (WT), heterozygous and homozygous variants of the <i>APC</i> or <i>CD24</i> genes. The three most frequent <i>CD24</i> SNP combinations were: heterozygote for A1626G and WT for the rest of the alleles (14% of patients), heterozygote for C170T, A1626G, A1056G and WT for the rest (14% of patients), and heterozygote for C170T, A1056G and WT for the rest (10% of patients). All patients were APC WT. The first two groups were significantly younger at diagnosis than the third group.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Specific polymorphisms in the <i>APC</i> and <i>CD24</i> genes may play a role in pancreatic cancer development. Correlation with survival requires a larger cohort.</p>