Aim
Gemcitabine (GEM) sensitivity can help select the appropriate treatment for pancreatic cancer. We examined the association between HSP27 expression and GEM sensitivity. Materials and
Conclusion
It was suggested that the HSP27 expression in EUS-FNA samples was useful for predicting GEM sensitivity.
Methods
A total of 19 patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer who underwent endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) were enrolled and treated with GEM alone. We measured the expression of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) and phosphorylated HSP27(p-HSP27) in EUS-FNA samples and evaluated the effects of GEM treatment.
Results
The rate of GEM resistance was significantly higher in patients who showed overexpression of p-HSP27 (p<0.05). When we set the cut-off p-HSP27 (Ser82) detection rate at 51.6%, the group with a detection rate of >51.6% showed a significantly lower survival rate, and GEM was administered for a shorter period of time (p<0.05).