Studying Fibroblast Activity in Patients With Localized Pancreatic Cancer Undergoing Surgery

OBJECTIVES: Primary * To assess the degree of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) enzymatic activity at the tumor site in patients with localized pancreatic cancer. Secondary * To explore correlations between tumor stromal FAP enzymatic activity and stromal α\_2-antiplasmin levels. * To explore correlations between tumor FAP enzymatic activity and plasma dipeptidyl peptidase and plasma α\_2-antiplasmin converting enzyme activity as potential surrogates. OUTLINE: Patients undergo fine-needle aspiration of tumor or suspected mass at baseline. Tumor samples are analyzed by IHC for fibroblast activation protein (FAP) expression, immunocapture assay for ex vivo FAP enzymatic activity, and western analysis for FAP concentrations. Blood samples are collected weekly and analyzed for dipeptidyl peptidase activity by ELISA and α\_2-antiplasmin converting enzyme.