MACC1: A potential molecule associated with pancreatic cancer metastasis and chemoresistance

It has been suggested that the newly identified metastasis-associated in colon cancer-1 (MACC1) oncogene is involved in the progression and metastasis of cancer. Several studies have indicated that MACC1 has potential as a novel biomarker. In this study, we aimed to investigate the functions and serum expression levels of MACC1 in pancreatic cancer patients. Blood serum samples from 60 cancer patients and 49 controls were analyzed for serum MACC1 by ELISA. The results revealed that high expression levels of MACC1 were correlated with lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and a later TNM stage. Inhibition of MACC1 by siRNAs significantly suppressed pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and migration. Furthermore, it was found that the downregulation of MACC1 sensitized pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine treatment through the inhibition of the Ras/ERK signaling pathway. Our findings suggest that MACC1 may aid in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and serve as a potential therapeutic target.