Heparanase expression in primary and metastatic pancreatic cancer

Citation
A. Koliopanos et al., Heparanase expression in primary and metastatic pancreatic cancer, CANCER RES, 61(12), 2001, pp. 4655-4659
Citations number
33
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Oncology,"Onconogenesis & Cancer Research
Journal title
CANCER RESEARCH
ISSN journal
0008-5472 → ACNP
Volume
61
Issue
12
Year of publication
2001
Pages
4655 - 4659
Database
ISI
SICI code
0008-5472(20010615)61:12<4655:HEIPAM>2.0.ZU;2-#
Abstract
The human endoglycosidase heparanase (hpa) degrades heparan-sulfate proteog lycans, which constitute prominent components of basement membranes and ext racellular matrix. Due to the critical function of hpa in cancer cell invas ion and metastasis, we have analyzed the expression of hpa in human primary and metastatic pancreatic cancer as well as in the normal pancreas and in chronic pancreatic inflammation. By real-time quantitative PCR, there was a 7.9- and 30.2-fold increase of hpa mRNA in chronic pancreatitis and pancre atic cancer tissue samples, respectively, in comparison with normal pancrea tic tissues. There was a significant correlation between enhanced hpa mRNA expression and shorter postoperative patient survival. hpa mRNA and protein localized in the cancer cells of primary and metastatic pancreatic cancer, with a preferentially higher expression at the primary tumor site. Culture d pancreatic cancer cells transfected with a full-length hpa construct disp layed enhanced invasiveness in an invasion chamber assay. These results sug gest that hpa overexpression in human pancreatic cancers facilitates cancer cell invasion, thereby enhancing the metastatic potential of the tumors.