Negative methylation status of vimentin predicts improved prognosis in pancreatic carcinoma

To determine the existence of a potential relationship between the methylation state of the Vimentin gene and its prognostic value in pancreatic cancer.

Sixty-four primary tumor specimens and normal tissues were collected consecutively from pancreatic cancer patients during surgery at Hangzhou First People's Hospital and Affiliated Hospital of the Logistics University of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force. DNA was extracted from the samples and subsequently quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the Vimentin methylation status of the samples. All of the patients were followed up to December 2012. χ(2) test, Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression statistical models were used.

Out of 64 pancreatic cancer tissues, 21 were marked as Vimentin methylation-positive, and 43 were marked as Vimentin methylation-negative. The location of pancreatic carcinoma was related to the Vimentin methylation state. The pathological T staging (P < 0.001), adjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.003) and the Vimentin methylation state (P = 0.037) were independent prognostic factors.

In our study, Vimentin methylation status can predict the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. However, additional experiments and clinical trials are needed to accurately validate this observation.