OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to study the expression status of markers associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) and to explore the prognostic value of these markers.

METHODS Immunohistochemical stains for CD24, CD44, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Snail, S100A4, Vimentin, urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, Ezrin, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 were performed on 67 resected PDACs.

RESULTS Proteins associated with EMT and metastasis were more frequently expressed in PDACs with poor differentiation, higher tumor stage, and lymphatic and perineural invasion. CD24 expression was associated with frequent expression of EMT markers (CD44 [P = 0.004], S100A4 [P < 0.001], Vimentin [P = 0.022], urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor [P = 0.002], and Ezrin [P = 0.010]). CD24 and S100A4 expressions in PDAC were significant prognostic factors for early tumor recurrence (hazard risk [HR], 5.185 and 2.490, P = 0.048 and 0.009, respectively) and poor survival (HR, 11.977 and 3.202, P = 0.006 and 0.004, respectively). In addition, the interaction between CD24 and S100A4 expression status was a significant prognostic factor for poor survival (HR, 18.518, P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS The expression of markers of EMT and metastasis in PDACs was significantly associated with pathologic features of aggressiveness. CD24 and S100A4 expressions were significant predictors of poor survival; thus, immunohistochemistry for these markers in resected specimens may help to identify PDAC patients with a poor prognosis.