Correlation of HuR cytoplasmic expression in pancreatic cancer and overall patient survival when treated with gemcitabine in the adjuvant setting
11097 Background:The Hu/ELAV mRNA binding protein HuR is normally localized to the nucleus and is activated upon stress. Previously, we observed that HuR expression is predominantly cytoplasmic in aggressive forms of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDA). Additionally, we have shown that overexpression of HuR in pancreatic cancer cell lines renders them hypersensitive to gemcitabine (GEM). GEM is the standard first line therapy used against PDA. This study was designed to determine the relationship between endogenous HuR expression levels and patient outcome. Methods: We analyzed tissue from 29 resected PDA patients who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. We determined the intensity of cytoplasmic HuR expression. All patients received adjuvant GEM, alone or in combination with radiation therapy or other chemotherapeutics. Correlation between HuR expression levels and overall survival was evaluated. Results: The median overall survival was 20.6 months, with 18 deaths observed. Median overall survival for low HuR expression was 15.3 months. Median overall survival for high HuR expression was not reached at a follow up of 40 months. A univariate Cox regression model gives a hazard ratio of low to high HuR of 3.36 (p=0.025) [95% CI 1.09–10.35]. Adjusting for age, sex, and radiation therapy in this patient group gives an adjusted hazard ratio of 5.04 (p = 0.03) [95% CI 1.15–22.02]. This indicates a 5-fold increase in risk of death in patients with low HuR levels compared to high HuR levels among patients receiving GEM. Conclusions: This is the first report of a correlation between levels of cytoplasmic HuR expression and overall survival in GEM treated patients. Together with our previously reported experimental data, HuR is regulating the key metabolic enzyme for GEM activation (deoxycytidine kinase). Therefore, HuR is a marker for therapeutic efficacy of GEM based regimens and is a candidate target for the optimization of GEM based treatment strategies. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.