Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is a good prognostic marker for pancreatic/periampullary cancers

Abstract Background Periampullary cancer (PAC) is highly aggressive with no effective adjuvant therapy or prognostic markers. Recently, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases-1 (PARP-1) have emerged as a target in solid cancers, and its relationship with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been observed. However, the relationship between PARP-1 and EMT in PAC has not explored well. Methods We assessed the prognostic significance of PARP1 in 190 PACs patients and correlated it with EMT markers, including FGF8, FGFR4, MMP2, MMP3, Snail, and ZEB1. Immunohistochemistry for PARP-1 and EMT markers was performed using a tissue microarray. Results PARP-1 and FGF8 expression were associated with better survival unlike other solid cancers (P = 0.006 and P = 0.003), and MMP3 and ZEB1 expression were associated with poor prognosis in multivariate and survival analyses (P = 0.009 and P < 0.001). In addition, PARP-1 is related negatively to Snail but not related with other EMT markers, implying an independent mechanism between PARP-1 and EMT in PACs. PARP-1 and FGF8 are independent good survival markers in PACs unlike other solid cancers. Conclusions PARP-1 and FGF8 in PACs could not be related to the EMT pathway but must be rather understood in light of similar cancer-protective roles. Further studies are required on EMT-associated immune markers in PACs.