Extracellular matrix is the main targeted environment in early stage of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Due to weak diagnosis and treatment of PDAC, detection of PDAC possible biomarkers in early stage is the main aim of this study.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is known as an exocrine cancer with a 5-year overall survival of 11%.

Gene expression profiles of early stage of PDAC tissue and normal tissue are downloaded from gene expression omnibus (GEO) and evaluated via GEO2R. The significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are investigated via protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and gene ontology.

 Among 104 DEGs, ALB, COL1A1, COL1A2, MMP1, POSTN, PLAU, and COL3A1 were pointed out as hub nodes. “Gelatin degradation by MMP1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13” group of 52 biological terms were identified as the main affected terms.

In conclusion, ALB, MMP1, and COL1A1 genes were highlighted as possible biomarkers of early stage of PDAC. Dysfunction of extracellular matrix was identified as a main event in patients.