Elevated Lysosome-Associated Protein Transmembrane-4β-35 is an Independent Prognostic Marker in Pancreatic Carcinoma

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between lysosome-associated protein transmembrane-4β-35 (LAPTM4B-35) and the clinicopathological features and prognosis of pancreatic carcinoma. METHODS: The level of LAPTM4B-35 protein was determined by semiquantitative immunohistochemistry in pancreatic carcinoma specimens. The relationship between LAPTM4B-35 level and prognosis was determined using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 98 patient samples were included. The presence of LAPTM4B-35 protein was confirmed in 77/98 (78.6%) patients and was significantly associated with tumour stage, degree of differentiation and pathological staging of pancreatic carcinoma after primary surgery. Patients with high LAPTM4B-35 levels had a poorer overall survival compared with patients with lower levels. Multivariate analysis showed that LAPTM4B-35 was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: LAPTM4B-35 was found to be present at high levels in a large proportion of patients with pancreatic carcinoma, and was closely related to disease progression and poor prognosis. LAPTM4B-35 may represent a new molecular target for the clinical evaluation and treatment of pancreatic carcinoma.