High expression of p62/SQSTM1 predicts shorter survival for patients with pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Accumulation of the signal adaptor protein p62 has been demonstrated in many forms of cancer, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Although data from experimental studies suggest that p62 accumulation accelerates the development of PDAC, the association between p62 protein expression and survival in PDAC patients is unclear. METHODS: Thirty-three tumor specimens from PDAC patients treated by primary surgery were obtained. Immunohistochemical expression of p62, microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3), and nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) in tumor tissue was examined for associations with clinicopathological characteristics and disease-specific survival (DSS). RESULTS: There was no association between p62 expression and any of the clinicopathological variables. However, high p62 protein expression in tumor cells was significantly associated with shorter DSS (7 months vs. 29 months, p = 0.017). The hazard ratio for death in patients with high p62 protein expression in tumor cells was 2.88 (95% confidence interval: 1.17-7.11, p = 0.022). In multivariable analysis, high p62 expression was an independent prognostic factor for shorter DSS (p = 0.020) when follow up time was more than 5 years. LC3 and NRF2 staining was not associated with survival or other clinicopathological parameters. CONCLUSION: Our results show that high p62 protein expression in tumor cells is associated with shorter survival following pancreatic tumor resection. This association supports a role for p62 as a prognostic marker in patients with PDAC treated by primary surgery.

Offspring of male and female parents with thalidomide embryopathy: birth defects and functional anomalies.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate congenital malformations and functional anomalies in the offspring of Swedish parents with thalidomide embryopathy (TE). METHODS: Sixty-four children (29 girls, 35 boys) with ages ranging from 0-18 years, born to 34 Swedish parents (14 women, 20 men) with TE, were studied. Data on malformations and dysfunction were collected from medical records at maternity and child healthcare units, delivery units, hospitals, outpatient clinics and schools. RESULTS: Five children had both a mother and father with TE, 23 had a mother suffering from TE, and in 36 children the father had TE. One girl had a major malformation consisting of pulmonary stenosis, and single cases of minor physical features and positional deformities were observed. One boy had autism. Four children were born preterm, all to a TE mother. One child died within 24 hr after birth. Seven spontaneous abortions were registered, five of them in TE mothers. The cesarian section rate was 39% among the TE mothers, compared to 14% among the non-TE mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Malformations or functional anomalies similar to those typical for TE were not found in this group of children born to Swedish parents with TE. Cesarian sections were more frequently performed in TE mothers, partly because of pelvic and uterine malformations.