The Role of AKT in Pancreatic Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Schlieman M G, Fahy B N, Ramsamooj R, Beckett L, Bold R J
Primary Institution: University of California Davis Medical Center
Hypothesis
Is AKT activated in pancreatic cancer tumors and is this associated with HER-2/neu overexpression?
Conclusion
AKT is activated in 59% of pancreatic adenocarcinoma tumors, and its activation correlates with HER-2/neu overexpression and higher histologic grade.
Supporting Evidence
- 46 out of 78 tumors (59%) showed AKT activation.
- 51 out of 78 tumors (65%) demonstrated HER-2/neu overexpression.
- 35 out of 52 HER-2/neu overexpressing tumors (67%) had activated AKT.
- 19 out of 25 poorly differentiated tumors (76%) were pAKT positive.
Takeaway
This study found that a protein called AKT is often turned on in pancreatic cancer, and when another protein, HER-2/neu, is also high, it can make the cancer more aggressive.
Methodology
The study analyzed 78 pancreatic adenocarcinoma specimens for AKT activation and HER-2/neu overexpression using immunohistochemistry.
Limitations
Survival analysis was not possible due to small subsets and inconsistent follow-up data.
Participant Demographics
{"age":"65±12","gender_ratio":"35:43","surgically_resected":"35:43"}
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.015
Statistical Significance
p=0.015
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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