# A novel multidrug-resistant cell line from a Chinese patient with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

## TL;DR

This paper introduces PDAC-X2, a new pancreatic cancer cell line from a Chinese patient, which is resistant to multiple chemotherapy drugs and can be used to study treatment resistance and new therapies.

## Contribution

The paper introduces PDAC-X2, a novel multidrug-resistant pancreatic cancer cell line derived from a Chinese patient with comprehensive characterization.

## Key findings

- PDAC-X2 cells showed epithelial morphology and expressed markers like CK7, CK19, E-cadherin, and Ki-67.
- The cell line exhibited 100% tumorigenicity in vivo and a complex tetraploid karyotype.
- PDAC-X2 demonstrated resistance to gemcitabine, paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin.

## Abstract

Chemotherapy resistance poses clinical challenges in pancreatic cancer treatment. Developing cell lines resistant to chemotherapy is crucial for investigating drug resistance mechanisms and identifying alternative treatment pathways. The genetic and biological attributes of pancreatic cancer depend on its aetiology, racial demographics and anatomical origin, underscoring the need for models that comprehensively represent these characteristics. Here, we introduce PDAC-X2, a pancreatic cancer cell line derived from Chinese patients. We conducted a comprehensive analysis encompassing the immune phenotype, biology, genetics, molecular characteristics and tumorigenicity of the cell line. PDAC-X2 cells displayed epithelial morphology and expressed cell markers (CK7 and CK19) alongside other markers (E-cadherin, Vimentin, Ki-67, CEA and CA19-9). The population doubling time averaged around 69 h. In vivo, PDAC-X2 cells consistently maintained their tumorigenicity, achieving a 100% tumour formation rate. Characterised by a predominantly tetraploid karyotype, this cell line exhibited a complex genetic markup. Notably, PDAC-X2 cells demonstrated resistance to multiple drugs, including gemcitabine, paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin. In conclusion, PDAC-X2 presents an invaluable preclinical model. Its utility lies in facilitating the study of drug resistance mechanisms and the exploration of alternative therapeutic approaches aimed at enhancing the prognosis of this tumour type.