TBX2 is one of the family of genes encoding developmental
transcription factors, characterized by a 200
amino acid DNA binding domain (T-box), found to be related to malignant phenotypes of
mammary cancer. However, the role of TBX2 in
pancreatic cancer progression remains unclear. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the expression and clinical significance of TBX2 in
pancreatic cancer. Immunohistochemistry was carried out on
paraffin-embedded sections of
pancreatic cancer and normal pancreatic tissues. In addition, semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blots were carried out to analyze
mRNA and
protein expression of Tbx2 in 6 pairs of freshly resected
pancreatic cancer and their adjacent nontumorous tissue. TBX2 expression was significantly increased in
pancreatic cancer tissue (29/48 or 60.4%). The expression level of Tbx2 had a significant positive relationship with
tumor differentiation degree, higher TNM stage and distant
metastasis. Also,
mRNA and
protein expression of Tbx2 were found to be at higher levels in almost all
cancer tissues compared to adjacent tissues. In conclusion,
Tbx2 protein might play an important role in the process of the development and
metastasis of
pancreatic cancers and high-level Tbx2 expression might be related to malignant potential.