Prognostic significance of DNA cytometry for adjuvant therapy response in pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The continuous progress in treatment options for pancreatic adenocarcinoma has lead to a re-evaluation of prognostic markers. In this study the prognostic relevance of DNA Index and classical histopathological parameters with regard to disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) was analyzed within the CONKO-001 patient population.

METHODS: One hundred forty three fresh-frozen paraffin-embedded tissue samples of the resected tumor specimen of the CONKO-001 patient population were available for DNA index analysis to evaluate its impact on patient outcome.

RESULTS: Median DFS (7.3 vs. 14.3 months; P = 0.004) and median OS (16.6 vs. 29.2 months; P = 0.011) were significantly decreased in patients with a high DNA index (>1.4). Multivariate analysis revealed both DNA index (DFS: P = 0.002; OS: P = 0.019) and tumor grading (DFS: P = 0.004; OS: P = 0.004) as individual prognostic markers for DFS and OS. The following prognostic subgroups were identified: good (low DNA Index + G1/2 tumor grading), intermediate (low DNA Index + G3 tumor grading or high DNA Index + G1/2 tumor grading), poor (high DNA Index + G3 tumor grading).

CONCLUSION: The DNA index/tumor grading constellation may serve as a helpful guide for personalized treatment recommendations for adjuvant therapy of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.