Expression Of Stem Cell Markers In Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma And Clinical Relevance.

e15058 Background: Emerging evidence has suggested that malignant tumors are heterogeneous and that are composed of a small subset of distinct cancer cells (usually defined by cell surface marker expression) that are responsible for tumor initiation and propagation, termed cancer stem cells. These cancer stem cells (CSCs), or tumor-initiating cells (TICs), exhibit properties of normal stem cells and are associated with resistance to current therapies. It was found that human pancreatic cancer has shown a population of cancer stem cells that have aberrantly activated developmental signaling pathways, are resistant to standard chemotherapy and radiation, and have up-regulated signaling cascades that are integral for tumor metastasis. The aim of our study is to investigate the prognostic implication of cancer stem cell markers in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Methods: In 43 histological samples of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were performed molecular biology assessment of CD 24, CD44, CD133, CD166, O...