Exposure to Blood Components and Inflammation Contribute to Pancreatic Cancer Progression

Background Pancreatectomy is a highly invasive procedure with extensive intraoperative blood loss (IBL) and high risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). We conducted an experimental and retrospective clinical study to determine whether the malignant behaviors of pancreatic cancer cells were enhanced by exposure to blood components in vitro and to evaluate the oncological significance of high IBL and POPF in pancreatic cancer. Methods This study included 107 patients undergoing radical pancreatectomy in the University of Yamanashi Hospital between 2011 and 2017, classified into high (n = 29) and low (n = 78) IBL groups. In vitro experiments included functional analyses of Panc-1 pancreatic cancer and normal mesothelial cells exposed to patient blood components, and clinical data were used to assess the contribution of IBL and POPF to patient outcomes. Results The migration ( p = 0.007), invasion ( p < 0.001), and proliferation ( p < 0.01) of Panc-1 cells were enhanced with platelet coculture. The ability of Panc-1 cells to adhere mesothelial cells was enhanced by plasma coincubation, especially in the presence of inflammation ( p < 0.001). High IBL was associated with worse overall survival ( p = 0.007) and increased locoregional recurrence ( p = 0.003) in patients. POPF enhanced the negative prognostic significance of high IBL ( p < 0.001 for overall survival, p = 0.001 for locoregional recurrence), indicating the oncological negative effects of high IBL and POPF. Conclusions Blood components, especially platelets, and inflammation enhance the malignant behaviors of pancreatic cancer cells, potentially contributing to poor prognosis for pancreatic cancer patients.