Published online Jun 10, 2017. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v8.i3.255
Peer-review started: December 19, 2016
First decision: March 27, 2017
Revised: April 1, 2017
Accepted: May 12, 2017
Article in press: May 13, 2017
Published online: June 10, 2017
Processing time: 168 Days and 8.5 Hours
Despite potentially curative surgery pancreatic cancer has a dismal prognosis. Serum cancer antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) correlates with tumor burden, resectability and survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Identification of novel biomarkers may facilitate early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and improve survival. Pancreatic juice is a rich source of cancer-specific proteins rendering it a promising tool for identifying biomarkers. Recent proteomic and microRNA expression analyses have identified several biomarkers of potential diagnostic and prognostic value. Tumor markers CA 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) are widely used in the characterization of premalignant and malignant lesions of the pancreas. Elevated level of CEA in bile is a marker for malignancy and a predictor of hepatic recurrence. The potential value of CA 19-9, CEA and lactate dehydrogenase as prognostic biomarkers in pancreatic juice and bile is unknown. Specimens of pancreatic juice and bile can be readily collected during surgical resection of the tumor. Profiling of pancreatic juice and bile to identify novel prognostic biomarkers may improve selection of patients for adjuvant therapy with a favorable impact on overall survival in patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Core tip: Pancreatic juice is a rich source of cancer-specific proteins rendering it a promising tool for identifying novel biomarkers in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Recent proteomic and microRNA expression analyses have identified several diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in bile is a marker of malignancy and a predictor of hepatic recurrence. The potential of cancer antigen 19-9, CEA and lactate dehydrogenase as prognostic biomarkers in pancreatic juice and bile is unknown. Specimens of pancreatic juice and bile can be readily collected during pancreatic resection. Profiling of pancreatic juice and bile to identify novel biomarkers may facilitate early diagnosis and improve selection of patients for adjuvant therapy.