Significance of mucin expression in pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) – precursor lesions of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate chosen mucins (mucin 1, 4, 5AC) expression in pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, which is a precursor lesion of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Materials and methods: The study group included 70 patients operated on due to inflammation, cysts and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia revealed additionally. Mucin 1, 4 and 5AC expression was assessed by immunohistochemical method using polyclonal antibodies. Results: Statistical analysis proved a positive correlation between the expression of mucin 1, 4 and 5AC proteins and the presence and staging of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (p<0.001). Statistically significant correlations were determined between mucin 1, 4 and 5AC and the location of PanIN lesion in the pancreas. Positive correlations were found between mucin 5AC expression and the type of a basic disease (p=0.014). Differences in the expression of MUC 1, 4 and 5AC proteins between healthy pancreatic ducts and various stages of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia were statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusions: Overexpression of mucin 1, 4 and 5AC is related to the presence of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia. This suggests that overproduction of mucus is a phenomenon occurring early in the process of carcinogenesis in the pancreas and has its beginning in precancerous lesions of an early stage