Evaluation of tumor targets selected from public genomic databases for imaging of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 5–7%, and complete surgical resection remains the only curative treatment but is often unfeasible. Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) using tumor-targeted probes may improve tumor...

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Main Authors: Nada Badr, Luca Ten Elshof, Ruben D. Houvast, Lysanne D. A. N. de Muynck, A. Stijn L. P. Crobach, Gerard J. P. van Westen, Ronald L. P. van Vlierberghe, J. Sven D. Mieog, Alexander L. Vahrmeijer, Peter J. K. Kuppen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00517-1
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author Nada Badr
Luca Ten Elshof
Ruben D. Houvast
Lysanne D. A. N. de Muynck
A. Stijn L. P. Crobach
Gerard J. P. van Westen
Ronald L. P. van Vlierberghe
J. Sven D. Mieog
Alexander L. Vahrmeijer
Peter J. K. Kuppen
author_facet Nada Badr
Luca Ten Elshof
Ruben D. Houvast
Lysanne D. A. N. de Muynck
A. Stijn L. P. Crobach
Gerard J. P. van Westen
Ronald L. P. van Vlierberghe
J. Sven D. Mieog
Alexander L. Vahrmeijer
Peter J. K. Kuppen
author_sort Nada Badr
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 5–7%, and complete surgical resection remains the only curative treatment but is often unfeasible. Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) using tumor-targeted probes may improve tumor visualization and facilitate complete resection. This study aimed to identify and validate tumor targets for FGS during PDAC resection procedures. RNA expression data from over 4000 cell surface genes, obtained from public genomic databases, were analyzed to identify genes encoding PDAC-associated proteins. Eleven potential tumor targets were identified, including CEACAM5, TMPRSS4, COL17A1, CLDN18, and AQP5. Protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in tissues from 44 PDAC and 7 chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients. All targets, except COL17A1, showed significantly higher expression in PDAC tissue compared to healthy pancreatic, CP, and duodenal tissue (p < 0.001), as well as in tumor-positive versus tumor-negative lymph nodes. Especially CEACAM5, TMPRSS4, and AQP5 were identified as the most promising targets for distinguishing PDAC from healthy tissues and detecting lymph node metastasis during FGS. The development of probes targeting multiple markers, such as AQP5 with CEACAM5 and/or TMPRSS4, may help overcome interpatient variability and enhance detection across patients.
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spelling doaj-art-8729a829c11f4ec6b7e93369bb56f5e32025-08-20T03:53:57ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-00517-1Evaluation of tumor targets selected from public genomic databases for imaging of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomaNada Badr0Luca Ten Elshof1Ruben D. Houvast2Lysanne D. A. N. de Muynck3A. Stijn L. P. Crobach4Gerard J. P. van Westen5Ronald L. P. van Vlierberghe6J. Sven D. Mieog7Alexander L. Vahrmeijer8Peter J. K. Kuppen9Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery, Leiden University Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery, Leiden University Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery, Leiden University Medical CenterDepartment of Pathology, Leiden University Medical CenterDrug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre of Drug ResearchDepartment of Surgery, Leiden University Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery, Leiden University Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery, Leiden University Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery, Leiden University Medical CenterAbstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 5–7%, and complete surgical resection remains the only curative treatment but is often unfeasible. Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) using tumor-targeted probes may improve tumor visualization and facilitate complete resection. This study aimed to identify and validate tumor targets for FGS during PDAC resection procedures. RNA expression data from over 4000 cell surface genes, obtained from public genomic databases, were analyzed to identify genes encoding PDAC-associated proteins. Eleven potential tumor targets were identified, including CEACAM5, TMPRSS4, COL17A1, CLDN18, and AQP5. Protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in tissues from 44 PDAC and 7 chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients. All targets, except COL17A1, showed significantly higher expression in PDAC tissue compared to healthy pancreatic, CP, and duodenal tissue (p < 0.001), as well as in tumor-positive versus tumor-negative lymph nodes. Especially CEACAM5, TMPRSS4, and AQP5 were identified as the most promising targets for distinguishing PDAC from healthy tissues and detecting lymph node metastasis during FGS. The development of probes targeting multiple markers, such as AQP5 with CEACAM5 and/or TMPRSS4, may help overcome interpatient variability and enhance detection across patients.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00517-1Pancreatic cancerTumor-target selectionFluorescence-guided surgeryData-driven approachMolecular imaging
spellingShingle Nada Badr
Luca Ten Elshof
Ruben D. Houvast
Lysanne D. A. N. de Muynck
A. Stijn L. P. Crobach
Gerard J. P. van Westen
Ronald L. P. van Vlierberghe
J. Sven D. Mieog
Alexander L. Vahrmeijer
Peter J. K. Kuppen
Evaluation of tumor targets selected from public genomic databases for imaging of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Scientific Reports
Pancreatic cancer
Tumor-target selection
Fluorescence-guided surgery
Data-driven approach
Molecular imaging
title Evaluation of tumor targets selected from public genomic databases for imaging of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
title_full Evaluation of tumor targets selected from public genomic databases for imaging of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
title_fullStr Evaluation of tumor targets selected from public genomic databases for imaging of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of tumor targets selected from public genomic databases for imaging of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
title_short Evaluation of tumor targets selected from public genomic databases for imaging of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
title_sort evaluation of tumor targets selected from public genomic databases for imaging of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
topic Pancreatic cancer
Tumor-target selection
Fluorescence-guided surgery
Data-driven approach
Molecular imaging
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00517-1
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