Expression of p27(kip1), Rb protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen and its relationship with clinicopathology in human pancreatic cancer.

Objective: To investigate the effect of inhibiting factor of cell cycle regulation p27(kip1), retinoblastinoma protein (Rb protein), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) on the genesis and progression of human pancreatic cancer.
Methods: The expression of p27(kip1), Rb protein and PCNA in the tumor tissue and adjacent tissue of 32 patients with pancreatic cancer was detected by SP immunohistochemical technique.
Results: The p27(kip1) protein positive-expression rate in the tumor tissue of pancreatic cancer was 56.25%, which was lower than that in the adjacent pancreatic tissue (P<0.05). p27(kip1) protein positive-expression was correlated significantly with tumor cell differentiation and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). The Rb gene protein positive-expression rate in the tumor tissue was 50%, which was also lower than that in the adjacent pancreatic tissue (P<0.05). The PCNA positive-expression rate was 71.87%, which was higher than that in the adjacent pancreatic tissue (P<0.05). PCNA positive-expression was also correlated significantly with tumor cell differentiation and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The decreased expression of p27(kip1), Rb protein and over-expression of PCNA may play an important role in the genesis and progression of pancreatic cancer.