CXCL12 Expression and Clinicopathological Features at the Invasive Front of Pancreatic Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• The clinical significance of CXC ligand 12 (CXCL12) at the invasive front of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is not well understood.
• Stromal CXCL12 expression in PDAC requires further investigation for its prognostic implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine stromal CXCL12 expression in PDAC using RNAscope.
• To correlate CXCL12 expression profiles with clinicopathological findings and survival outcomes.
• To elucidate cellular expression patterns of CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 via single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 66 PDAC tissue samples using RNAscope for CXCL12 expression.
• Quantification and categorization of RNA expression into high and low groups.
• scRNA-seq to determine cellular expression of CXCL12 and CXCR4.

Main Results:

• CXCL12 was predominantly expressed in the stroma (88% of samples) rather than tumor cells.
• High CXCL12 expression was associated with significantly less venous invasion (P = 0.019).
• A trend towards longer relapse-free survival was observed in the high CXCL12 group (P = 0.0673).
• scRNA-seq identified fibroblasts and endothelial cells as primary producers of CXCL12, with CXCR4 expressed on immune cells.

Conclusions:

• Stromal CXCL12 expression in PDAC is linked to reduced tumor progression.
• CXCL12 may serve as a prognostic marker for favorable outcomes in PDAC.
• Further research is necessary to validate the prognostic value of stromal CXCL12.