[Expression and Prognostic Value of Cripto-1 in Pancreatic Cancer]

Objective To investigate the expression of Cripto-1 in pancreatic cancer and to analyze its clinical significance. Methods Cripto-1 expression in normal pancreas,pancreatic cancer and adjacent non-tumor tissues,chronic pancreatitis tissues and other related tissues was evaluated using immunohistochemistry.The association of Cripto-1 expression with the clinicopathological characteristics and the prognostic value of Cripto-1 in patients with pancreatic cancer were analyzed. Results The expression of Cripto-1 was higher in chronic pancreatitis tissues,pancreatic cancer and its metastases than in normal pancreas(P=0.019,P=0.025,and P=0.018,respectively).Cripto-1 overexpression was correlated with poorly differentiated pancreatic cancer.The patients with Cripto-1 upregulation had shorter median survival time(8 months vs.16 months,χ ²=4.787,P=0.029).However,multivariate analysis failed to demonstrate overexpression of Cripto-1 an independent prognostic indicator in patients with pancreatic cancer(HR=1.341,95% CI=0.800-2.248,P=0.266).Conclusions Cripto-1 may play an important role in the development and progression of pancreatic cancer.It can be a potential prognostic biomarker for patients with pancreatic cancer.