Conclusions
We report the expression of Clusterin in PNETs. The correlation of Clusterin with tumor size and stage suggests involvement of this molecule in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor progression. Clusterin may represent a new target of therapy for PNETs.
Methods
Fifty-nine surgical cases were used to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of Clusterin in PNETs. Using the avidin-biotin complex method, tissue sections from each case were stained with a rabbit anticlusterin antibody (Abcam, Cambridge, Mass). The immunohistochemical reactions were qualitatively and semiquantitatively evaluated by 2 pathologists.
Results
Strong Clusterin reactivity was identified in 36 (61%) of 59 PNETs. In 23 (39%) of 59 cases, the Clusterin score was 3 or less. Clusterin expression scores significantly associated with tumor size (P = 0.03) and with tumor stage (P = 0.02). The immunohistochemical score index did not correlate with tumor grade (P = 0.15). Conclusions: We report the expression of Clusterin in PNETs. The correlation of Clusterin with tumor size and stage suggests involvement of this molecule in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor progression. Clusterin may represent a new target of therapy for PNETs.