Expression of p53 and C-Myc in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and their association with clinicopathological, molecular, prognostic and survival variables in patients of Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá University Hospital, between 2009-2022.

Abstract

Background. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a high mortality rate despite treatment. This study compares the expression of C-Myc and p53 with clinicopathological, molecular, and prognostic factors in PDAC patients at the Fundación Santa Fe University Hospital in Bogotá. Methodology. This descriptive-analytical study included 95 PDAC patients, 55 of whom underwent surgical resection and 40 were only biopsied. Clinicopathological data was obtained from histological analyses and medical records. Expression of C-Myc and p53 was determined by immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was done using R-studio version 2023.12.1. Results. The study group consisted of 52 women (54.7%) and 43 men (45.3%), aged 41-89 years (M = 66.8). No significant associations were found between molecular marker expression and clinicopathological variables. However, patients with PDAC in the pancreas body or liver metastases had a higher likelihood of surviving less than 3 years. Among surgical patients (N = 54), 38 expressed C-Myc and 39 expressed p53. Aberrant p53 expression was linked to decreased disease-free survival in patients with a <3-year survival post diagnosis (t[23] = -2.42; p < .05). Similarly, higher C-Myc expression was seen in patients with postsurgical recurrence with a <3-year survival post diagnosis (t[21] = -2.28; p < .05). Conclusion. Targeted therapies for these genes may improve PDAC prognosis. Further research should investigate other biomarkers and their expression in neoplastic and preserved pancreatic tissue.