Correlation between LAMA3 and liver metastasis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Abstract Purpose The grave mortality rate of Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is primarily due to metastasis. The objective of this investigation was to elucidate the role of LAMA3 in liver metastasis of PDAC, gauge its prognostic implications, and offer insights for therapeutic intervention in PDAC management. Methods We extracted information related to LAMA3 expression levels and associated clinicopathological parameters from TCGA and four GEO datasets. Clinicopathological analysis was conducted using UALCAN, while the Kaplan-Meier plotter was enlisted for evaluating LAMA3's prognostic impact in PDAC. Furthermore, we retrospectively harvested clinicopathological data and tissue specimens from 117 surgically treated PDAC patients at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. Employing tissue immunohistochemistry, we assessed LAMA3 expression, investigating its correlation with clinicopathological traits, clinical outcomes, and hepatic metastasis. Results (1) An amplified expression of LAMA3 was discerned in PDAC tissue compared to normal tissue in TCGA and GEO databases (all P < 0.001). High expression of LAMA3 is associated with poor OS and RFS of patients with PDAC (all P < 0.05). (2) Clinically, LAMA3 expression was significant enhanced in PDAC tissues compared to adjacent tissues (P < 0.001). (3) Tumor tissues from PDAC patients exhibiting liver metastasis had higher LAMA3 expression than those devoid of liver metastasis (P = 0.005). High LAMA3 expression was correlated with large tumor size (P = 0.007), and TNM stage (P = 0.002). (4) LAMA3 expression were independently associated with liver metastasis. (5) Both LAMA3 expression (P = 0.004) and liver metastasis (P = 0.001) were independent predictive factors for OS. Conclusion The expression of LAMA3 was elevated in the PDAC and it was a predictor for prognosis in PDAC patients. LAMA3 is an independent risk factor for liver metastasis in PDAC as well.