The promigratory molecule
L1CAM is overexpressed in various
tumors, often representing an unfavorable prognostic marker. Recently, we identified
L1CAM expression in pancreatic ductal
adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells accounting for chemoresistance and increased cell migration. Thus, the present study aims at further elucidating the role of
L1CAM in a larger cohort of PDAC specimens including precursor lesions and
metastasis.
L1CAM expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in tissues of 123 patients including tissues of 110 primary PDACs, 15
lymph node metastases and 14 liver
metastases. The immunohistochemical analyses revealed
L1CAM expression in 92.7% of primary PDACs, 80% of
lymph node metastases and 100% of liver
metastases. Furthermore, we have investigated PDAC precursors, pancreatic intraepithelial
neoplasia (PanIN) lesions, revealing a significant increase of
L1CAM expression with the PanIN grade (6.4 and 6.8% in PanIN 1A and B, 35% in PanIN 2 and 20% in PanIN 3). The elevated expression of
L1CAM already found in PanINs points to a role of
L1CAM quite early in
tumorigenesis of PDAC. Furthermore, its broad expression in primary
tumors as well as in
metastases of PDAC patients provide a rationale to further explore the value of
L1CAM as a therapeutic target in the treatment of this highly malignant
tumor.