Clinical Significance of MUC4 and Associated Proteins in Pancreatic and Periampullary Cancers

Abstract

Objective This study primarily aimed to assess the expression of MUC4 in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) as compared with controls and assess its clinical relevance. Materials and Methods Serum MUC4 levels and MUC4 gene expression in snap-frozen tissue were analyzed through surface plasmon resonance and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Tumor tissues and control tissues were analyzed for MUC4 and other mucins through immunohistochemistry. Result MUC4 expression in tumor tissue was found to be significantly elevated in PDAC patients as compared with chronic pancreatitis tissues and normal pancreatic tissues. Periampullary carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma tissue also showed increased expression of MUC4 and other mucins. Conclusions Differential expression of MUC4 in pancreatic tumor tissues can help to differentiate PDAC from benign conditions.