Case Report: E-cadherin and Vimentin expression in advanced-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissue and circulating tumor cells: preliminary results from a pilot study - Summary - MDSpire

Case Report: E-cadherin and Vimentin expression in advanced-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissue and circulating tumor cells: preliminary results from a pilot study

  • By

  • Maria Cristina Rapanotti

  • Maria Giovanna Scioli

  • Alessandro Moscardelli

  • Edoardo Troncone

  • Elisa Cugini

  • Tara Mayte Suarez Viguria

  • Lorena Vergilii

  • Martina Puzzuoli

  • Silvia Anzillotti

  • Sonia Terriaca

  • Tonia Cenci

  • Eleonora Muzzi

  • Elena De Cristofaro

  • Luca Savino

  • Luca Toti

  • Anastasia De Luca

  • Amedeo Ferlosio

  • Giovanna Del Vecchio Blanco

  • Augusto Orlandi

  • May 29, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To investigate the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers E-cadherin and Vimentin in EUS-FNB tissue biopsies and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Key Findings:
  • E-cadherin expression was absent in three G3 tumor biopsies; 72.7% showed low-to-moderate positivity.
  • Vimentin expression was generally negative in biopsies, with small clusters observed in G3 samples.
  • E-cadherin transcripts were not detected in CTC subpopulations.
  • Vimentin was expressed in 81.8% of CTC samples, with nine cases showing moderate-to-high levels.
Interpretation:

The study highlights distinct EMT marker expression between primary tumors and CTCs, suggesting a potential role in understanding metastatic behavior in PDAC.

Limitations:
  • Small sample size of 11 patients limits generalizability.
  • Retrospective design may introduce bias.
Conclusion:

The findings indicate a notable difference in EMT marker expression between PDAC tissues and CTCs, warranting further investigation.

Original Source(s)

Case Report: E-cadherin and Vimentin expression in advanced-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissue and circulating tumor cells: preliminary results from a pilot study

  • by Maria Cristina Rapanotti, Maria Giovanna Scioli, Alessandro Moscardelli, Edoardo Troncone, Elisa Cugini, Tara Mayte Suarez Viguria, Lorena Vergilii, Martina Puzzuoli, Silvia Anzillotti, Sonia Terriaca, Tonia Cenci, Eleonora Muzzi, Elena De Cristofaro, Luca Savino, Luca Toti, Anastasia De Luca, Amedeo Ferlosio, Giovanna Del Vecchio Blanco, Augusto Orlandi

  • May 29, 2026

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