RT Journal Article T1 Deciphering CHFR Role in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. A1 González-Borja, Iranzu A1 Alors-Pérez, Emilia A1 Amat, Irene A1 Alonso, Laura A1 Viyuela-García, Cristina A1 Goñi, Saioa A1 Reyes, José C A1 Ceballos-Chávez, María A1 Hernández-García, Irene A1 Sánchez-Frías, Marina E A1 Santamaría, Enrique A1 Razquin, Socorro A1 Arjona-Sánchez, Álvaro A1 Arrazubi, Virginia A1 Pérez-Sanz, Jairo A1 Vera, Ruth A1 Fernández-Irigoyen, Joaquín A1 Castaño, Justo P A1 Viúdez, Antonio K1 DNA methylation K1 checkpoint with forkhead and ring finger domains (CHFR) K1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) K1 methylation K1 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) AB Checkpoint with forkhead-associated and ring finger domains (CHFR) has been proposed as a predictive and prognosis biomarker for different tumor types, but its role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unknown. The aim of this study was two-pronged: to review the role of CHFR in PDAC and evaluating CHFR as a potential predictive biomarker in this disease. For this purpose, we first explored the CHFR messenger (m)RNA expression and promoter methylation through the TCGA database. Secondly, the CHFR expression and promoter methylation were prospectively evaluated in a cohort of patients diagnosed with borderline (n = 19) or resectable (n = 16) PDAC by immunohistochemistry (IHC), methylation specific-PCR (MSP), and pyrosequencing. The results from the TCGA database showed significant differences in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) based on the CHFR mRNA expression, which was likely independent from the promoter methylation. Importantly, our results showed that in primarily resected patients and also the entire cohort, a higher CHFR expression as indicated by the higher IHC staining intensity might identify patients with longer disease-free survival (DFS) and OS, respectively. Similarly, in the same cohorts, patients with lower methylation levels by pyrosequencing showed significantly longer OS than patients without this pattern. Both, the CHFR expression intensity and its promoter methylation were established as independent prognostic factors for PFS and OS in the entire cohort. In contrast, no significant differences were found between different methylation patterns for CHFR and the response to taxane-based neoadjuvant treatment. These results suggest the potential role of the higher expression of CHFR and the methylation pattern of its promoter as potential prognostic biomarkers in PDAC, thus warranting further comprehensive studies to extend and confirm our preliminary findings. SN 2296-858X YR 2021 FD 2021-11-19 LK https://hdl.handle.net/10668/25874 UL https://hdl.handle.net/10668/25874 LA en DS RISalud RD Apr 7, 2025