SPARC mRNA expression as a prognostic marker for pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients

Background: Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is a protein which governs diverse cellular functions and matrix remodeling systems. It was reported that SPARC expression of peritumoral fibroblasts was correlated with poor prognosis in resectable pancreatic cancer patients in immunohistochemical analysis. However, the significance of SPARC mRNA expression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains unclear. Materials and Methods: SPARC mRNA expression was evaluated in 104 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients with macro-dissection technique. Results: High SPARC mRNA expression was associated with a poorer prognosis than low SPARC. In univariate Cox's proportion hazard model, depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, histopathological tumor grade, lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion, surgical margin, no chemotherapy and high SPARC expression were significant prognostic factors. In multivariate analysis, histopathological tumor grade, surgical margin, no chemotherapy and high SPARC expression were independent significant prognostic factors. Conclusion: SPARC mRNA expression is a prognostic marker for pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients.