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Article

Immunopathological and Stress-Related Markers in Patients with Non-Metastatic and Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: An Exploratory Comparative Study

Olena Klimova ORCID ,  Olena Lavinska ORCID ,  Larisa Drozdova ORCID ,  Rostislav Smachylo ORCID ,  Oleksii Tkachuk ORCID ,  Andriy Merkulov ORCID
    Received: 6 July 2026; Revised: 28 July 2026; Accepted: 19 August 2026; Published: 3 September 2026

    Abstract

    Pancreatic cancer is one of the most common malignant neoplasms, the incidence has increased in the population among patients who have recovered from various SARS-CoV-2 strains with subsequent post-COVID syndrome symptoms development. Given the heterogeneity of cancer development mechanisms within the population, the individual complex treatment implementation is essential for the correction of impaired immunometabolic processes. The aim is to assess pathological changes in humoral and cellular markers of innate and adaptive immunity in groups of patients with non-metastatic and metastatic pancreatic cancer. 64 patients (38 to 79 years) with pancreatic cancer were examined: group 1—non-metastatic (n = 44); group 2—metastatic (n = 20). The following research methods were used: ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), flow cytometry, immunoturbidimetry, spectrophotometry, light microscopy, impedance spectrometry. In first group patients had an increase in the C3 component complement, IL-1β, TNF-α, TLR4, TLR9 and DAMPs (Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns) cytotoxic oligonucleotide fraction. In second group patients had an increase in cortisol, C3 component complement, TLR9, oligopeptide and oligonucleotide DAMPs fractions and a maximum increase in the T regulatory cells CD3+CD4+CD25+СD127-. In both groups was increase in NK cells CD3-CD56+CD16+ and a wide spectrum of antinuclear antibodies to altered nuclear structures that acquired antigenic properties. In both groups, we identified cohorts of patients who with significant changes in the studied parameters set, had a decrease in serum electrical conductivity (on average by 45%). Individual changes in immunometabolic markers in patients of different ages with non-metastatic and metastatic pancreatic cancer have diagnostic and prognostic value.

    Keywords

    References

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