Fig. 2

GLRX3 is overexpressed in the tissues and blood from patients with pancreatic cancer: A GLRX3 is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer tissues. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on a pancreatic tissue microarray. Representative images show islet cells expressing GLRX3 in normal pancreas tissues and its overexpression in adenocarcinoma; B Western blot analysis was performed in depleted plasma from healthy individuals (n = 5), patients with chronic pancreatitis (n = 5), and patients with pancreatic cancer (n = 20). GLRX3 was found to be overexpressed in the plasma of patients with pancreatic cancer compared to that in plasma from healthy individuals (p < 0.001) and patients with chronic pancreatitis (p = 0.005). Values of GLRX3 expression were estimated using an image analysis system (BAS2500, Fujifilm, Tokyo, Japan) and were normalized to mean value of the control group (regarded as 100%); C Dot plot for the serum level of GLRX3 and CA19–9 by ELISA. The horizontal line represents the median. The serum levels of GLRX3 and CA19–9 were significantly different between patients with pancreatic cancer and healthy persons (All p < 0.001); D ROC curves of patients with pancreatic cancer versus healthy persons for GLRX3, CA19–9, and their mathematical combination. When GLRX3 and CA19–9 were combined, the AUC was increased compared to that with GLRX3 or CA19–9 alone (p < 0.0001)