A Novel Role of Interleukin 13 Receptor alpha2 in Perineural Invasion and its Association with Poor Prognosis of Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Perineural invasion (PNI) is one of the major pathological characteristics of pancreatic ductal adeno-carcinoma (PDAC), which is mediated by invading cancer cells into nerve cells. Herein, we identify the overexpression of Interleukin-13 Receptor alpha2 (IL-13R?2) in the PNI from 236 PDAC samples by studying its expression at the protein levels by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and the RNA level by in situ hybridization (ISH). We observe that ?75% samples overexpressed IL-13R?2 by IHC and ISH in grade 2 and 3 tumors, while ?64% stage II and III tumors overexpressed IL-13R?2 (?2+). Interestingly, ?36 % peripancreatic neural plexus (PL) and ?70% nerve endings (Ne) among PNI in PDAC samples showed higher levels of IL-13R?2 (?2+). IL-13R?2 +ve PL and Ne subjects survived significantly less than IL-13R?2 -ve subjects, suggesting that IL-13R?2 may have a unique role as a biomarker of PNI-aggressiveness. Importantly, IL-13R?2 may be a therapeutic target for intervention, which might not only prolong patient survival but also help alleviate pain attributed to perineural invasion. Our study uncovers a novel role of IL-13R?2 in PNI as a key factor of the disease severity, thus revealing a therapeutically targetable option for PDAC and to facilitate PNI-associated pain management.

SUBMITTER: Fujisawa T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7281570 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature