Survivin Expression in Pancreatic Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Sarela A I, Verbeke C S, Ramsdale J, Davies C L, Markham A F, Guillou P J
Primary Institution: University of Leeds
Hypothesis
This study aimed to examine the expression and potential prognostic value of Survivin in pancreatic and ampullary cancers.
Conclusion
Survivin is expressed in the majority of pancreatic adenocarcinomas and correlates with both cellular proliferation and apoptosis.
Supporting Evidence
- Survivin was detected in the cytoplasm of carcinoma cells in 88% of pancreatic tumors.
- Proliferative index was 26.2±10.5% and apoptosis index was 1.38±0.69%.
- Survivin expression was significantly higher in P53-positive than in P53-negative cases (P=0.05).
- Higher scores of Survivin expression were associated with increased apoptosis index (P=0.007).
Takeaway
Survivin is a protein found in many pancreatic cancer cells, and its levels can help understand how fast the cancer is growing and dying.
Methodology
Immunohistochemistry for Survivin, P53, and BCL-2 expression, as well as cell proliferative index (Ki-67) and apoptosis index (TUNEL), was conducted on 52 pancreatic and 12 ampullary adenocarcinomas.
Limitations
The study's power may have been insufficient to demonstrate any correlation between Survivin expression and specific pathological characteristics due to a high proportion of locally advanced stage tumors.
Participant Demographics
Patients had a mean age of 64 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Confidence Interval
95% confidence interval: 6.1–34.4 months
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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