Expression of prostate stem cell antigen and claudin-4 in human pancreatic carcinoma

Objective: To investigate the expressions of prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) and Claudin-4 in human pancreatic carcinoma and to discuss its role in the ontogenesis of pancreatic cancer. Methods: Pancreatic carcinoma tissue microarray was constructed, containing 100 cores of 10 normal adult pancreas tissues, 12 chronic pancreatitis tissues, and 78 pancreatic carcinomas. The expressions of PSCA and Claudin-4 were detected using immunohistochemical method and the relationship between PSCA and Claudin-4 and the pancreatic carcinoma was analyzed. Results: The positive expression rates of PSCA and Claudin-4 protein in pancreatic carcinoma were 79.5% and 88.5%, respectively. PSCA and Claudin-4 staining were more intense in malignant cells than in chronic pancreatic tissues and normal adult pancreas tissues. No evidence was found for an association between expressions of PSCA and Claudin-4 and other variables, including gender, age at surgery, and tumor grade. Conclusions: The expressions of PSCA and Claudin-4 are related to the pancreatic carcinomas. PSCA and Claudin-4 play a role in the development of pancreatic cancer, but PSCA and Claudin-4 are not correlated with the clinical pathology of tumor.