Related Experiment Video For K-ras
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
Multianimal Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Tumor Measurements in Pancreatic Cancer Mouse Models
Published on: February 3, 2026
Additional K-ras mutation analysis and Plectin-1 staining improve the diagnostic accuracy of pancreatic solid mass in
Joo Kyung Park1, Woo Hyun Paik2,3, Byeong Jun Song4
1Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Background:
One of the major genetic alterations in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the point mutation of K-ras gene. Plectin-1 was also recently identified as PDAC specific biomarker. The aim of this study was to investigate the improvement of diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) by using additional K-ras mutation analysis and Plectin-1 staining in patients with pancreatic mass.
Methods:
A total of 85 study patients with pancreatic mass underwent EUS-FNA and the final diagnoses were as follows; PDACs: 70 patients, pancreas neuroendocrine tumor: 4, metastasis to pancreas: 5, autoimmune pancreatitis: 3, chronic pancreatitis: 1, tuberculous lymphadenitis: 1, pseudocyst: 1.
Results:
Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of pathologic diagnosis in EUS-FNA specimen were 81%, 80% and 79% accordingly. When we combine K-ras gene mutation analysis with histological assessment, we could get the following results for sensitivity, specificity and accuracy; cytology and K-ras mutation analysis: 93%, 87%, and 92%, cytology, K-ras mutation analysis, and Plectin-1 staining: 96%, 93%, and 95%.
Conclusions:
Triple combinations of the techniques; cytology, K-ras gene mutation analysis, Plectin-1 staining could increase accuracy in diagnosis of PDACs. Further investigation of using minimal specimens from EUS-FNA may give us insight to understand the biological behavior of PDAC.
