Background: CD40, a tumor necrosis factor receptor family member, is expressed in a variety of cell types. This widespread expression suggests that CD40 may play an important role in normal physiology and disease pathogenesis. The objective of the current study was to investigate the expression of CD40, and its association with clinicopathological features and survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Methodology: CD40 expression was assessed in 53 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma surgical specimens by immunohistochemistry, and expression was correlated with patient clinicopathological parameters and outcome.
Results: Among 53 pancreatic cancer specimens, CD40 expression was detected in 13 specimens (24.5%), and peritumoral lymphocytes were present in 45 specimens (84.9%). Patients with CD40-positive tumors exhibited prolonged median disease-free survival (DFS) compared with patients with CD40-negative tumors (15.60 +/- 3.87 versus 10.03 +/- 1.92); however, this was not significant (p = 0.845). Patients with peritumoral lymphocytic reaction exhibited prolonged median DFS compared with patients without peritumoral lymphocytes (10.96 +/- 1.40 vs. 7.60 +/- 0.47); however, this was not significant (p = 0.624). Patients with peritumoral lymphocytic reaction exhibited higher median overall survival compared with patients without peritumoral lymphocytes (15.20 +/- 1.78 vs. 10.13 +/- 1.39); however, again this was not significant (p = 0.100).
Conclusions: These results suggest that CD40 expression on pancreatic cancer cells and peritumoral lymphocytic reaction may serve as prognostic markers.