Article Text

Download PDFPDF
Endothelin-1 and endothelin B receptor expression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma
  1. N Cook1,2,
  2. R Brais3,
  3. W Qian4,
  4. C Chan Wah Hak5,
  5. P G Corrie1
  1. 1Oncology Centre, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
  2. 2CRUK Cancer Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
  3. 3Department of Pathology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
  4. 4Cambridge Cancer Trials Centre, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
  5. 5School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr P G Corrie, Oncology Centre (Box 193), Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; pippa.corrie{at}addenbrookes.nhs.uk

Abstract

Background Endothelin-1 (ET-1) acting through endothelin A and B receptors (ETAR and ETBR) has been implicated in the development of cancer. The endothelin axis has not previously been characterised in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC).

Methods Expression of ET-1, ETAR, ETBR, vascular endothelial growth factor and microvessel density (MVD) was determined by immunohistochemistry in 45 surgically resected human PACs and 15 non-cancer human pancreas samples.

Results PAC had the highest staining intensity for ET-1 and ETBR: 38% PAC samples scored 2+ or more compared with 7% non-cancer sample in ET-1; 58% PAC samples scored 2+ compared with 0% non-cancer samples in ETBR. MVD was significantly lower in PAC compared with non-cancer tissue (p<0.0001).

Conclusions PAC was characterised by greater expression of ET-1 and ETBR compared with normal pancreas.

  • PANCREATIC CANCER
  • ANGIOGENESIS
  • IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY

Statistics from Altmetric.com

Request Permissions

If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.