Abstract
Recent studies have indicated that the dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSP) family may play a role in the advancement of pancreatic cancer. Exploring the role of the DUSP family in pancreatic cancer development and discovering novel therapeutic targets are crucial for pancreatic cancer therapy. A critical subset of 20 genes exhibiting differential expression was identified, with particular emphasis on four key genes: DUSP10, PTP4A2, SSH3, and CDKN3 by multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis. These genes were integral to developing a novel risk model for PC, which has been independently validated as a prognostic factor for patients. To provide help for clinical treatment, we performed tumor immune analysis and predicted potential chemical drugs. Notably, our research unveiled elevated expression levels of SSH3 in human PC cells and tissues. Intriguingly, SSH3 expression correlates with the patient grade, staging, and T stage in PC. Additional studies reveal SSH3's role in enhancing PC cell proliferation and migration, intricately linked to the activation of the Notch signaling pathway. These insights provide a deeper understanding of PC pathophysiology and pave the way for novel therapeutic interventions.