Low serum mesothelin in pancreatic cancer patients results from retention of shed mesothelin in the tumor microenvironment.

ABSTRACT: Mesothelin (MSLN) is overexpressed by many cancers, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and has consequently become a target for anti-cancer therapeutics. Mature, membrane bound MSLN is cleaved by proteases, releasing a shed form that transits to the circulation. Many patients with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer have abnormally high serum MSLN concentration. However, serum MSLN concentration in PDAC patients rarely exceeds levels of healthy controls. Here, serum MSLN concentration in advanced PDAC patients was examined pre- and post-treatment. Serum MSLN did not correlate with tumor MSLN expression, nor with changes in tumor burden as assessed by PDAC serum tumor marker CA19-9. Subsequently, tumor-bearing mouse models were used to investigate the fate of shed MSLN in PDAC ve

SUBMITTER: Zhang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9079715 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature