PLA2G16 expression predicts prognosis and gemcitabine sensitivity in patients with pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is highly aggressive with limited treatment options. PLA2G16 has been implicated in cancer progression, but its role in prognosis and gemcitabine sensitivity in pancreatic cancer remains poorly understood. METHODS: Using TCGA data, the study assessed the correlation between PLA2G16 expression and patient survival. The expression of PLA2G16 in gemcitabine-resistant versus sensitive pancreatic cancer cells was also compared. siRNA-mediated knockdown of PLA2G16 was performed in drug-resistant PANC-1 cells to evaluate its impact on gemcitabine sensitivity. The relationship between PLA2G16 expression, immune infiltration, and molecular pathways in pancreatic cancer was explored using CIBERSORT and DAVID tools. RESULTS: PLA2G16 was significantly overexpressed in pancreatic cancer tissues and associated with poorer patient survival. In PANC-1 cells, increased PLA2G16 expression correlated with gemcitabine resistance, and its knockdown improved drug sensitivity. PLA2G16 expression was linked to specific immune infiltration patterns and cancer-related molecular pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated PLA2G16 expression is associated with poor survival and gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer, making it a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target.