SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study

Hum Pathol. 2024 Feb:144:40-45. doi: 10.1016/j.humpath.2024.01.013. Epub 2024 Feb 1.

Abstract

The SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) complex is a multimeric protein involved in transcription regulation and DNA damage repair. SWI/SNF complex abnormalities are observed in approximately 14-34 % of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). Herein, we evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of a subset of the SWI/SNF complex proteins (ARID1A, SMARCA4/BRG1, SMARCA2/BRM, and SMARCB1/INI1) within our PDAC tissue microarray to determine whether SWI/SNF loss is associated with any clinicopathologic features or patient survival in PDAC. In our cohort, 13 of 353 (3.7 %) PDACs showed deficient SWI/SNF complex expression, which included 11 (3.1 %) with ARID1A loss, 1 (0.3 %) with SMARCA4/BRG1 loss, and 1 (0.3 %) with SMARCA2/BRM loss. All cases were SMARCB1/INI1 proficient. The SWI/SNF-deficient PDACs were more frequently identified in older patients with a mean age of 71.6 years (SD = 7.78) compared to the SWI/SNF-proficient PDACs which occurred at a mean age of 65.2 years (SD = 10.95) (P = 0.013). The SWI/SNF-deficient PDACs were associated with higher histologic grade, compared to the SWI/SNF-proficient PDACs (P = 0.029). No other significant clinicopathologic differences were noted between SWI/SNF-deficient and SWI/SNF-proficient PDACs. On follow-up, no significant differences were seen for overall survival and progression-free survival between SWI/SNF-deficient and SWI/SNF-proficient PDACs (both with P > 0.05). In summary, SWI/SNF-deficient PDACs most frequently demonstrate ARID1A loss. SWI/SNF-deficient PDACs are associated with older age and higher histologic grade. No other significant associations among other clinicopathologic parameters were seen in SWI/SNF-deficient PDACs including survival.

Keywords: Heterogeneity; Loss-of-function; Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC); SMARC; SWItch/Sucrose non-Fermentable complex (SWI/SNF).

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / genetics
  • Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly
  • DNA Helicases
  • Humans
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Transcription Factors

Substances

  • SMARCA4 protein, human
  • DNA Helicases
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Transcription Factors