Fig. 6

Expression levels of ASPH-Notch/SRC axis elements predict clinical outcome of PDAC patients. a–e ASPH expression level positively correlated with SRC components levels. Active SRC expression level positively correlated with ADAM12 level. Staining intensity and distribution of IHC were evaluated under × 10, × 40, × 100, and × 400 magnification. The average of percentage (number of positive staining cells/100 tumor cells) was calculated from at least 10 areas per high power field (HPF). f–j Compared to a negative-low level, a moderate-high level of ASPH; MMP1/14; ADAM12; or active SRC expression conferred reduced OS of PDAC patients (log-rank test, ps < 0.001). k, l Combined effects of four (SRC axis) or five (ASPH-SRC axis) molecules on OS of PDAC patients using the Kaplan-Meier method. The numbers from 0 to 12 indicate the total expression scores of at-risk proteins (log-rank test, p < 0.001). ^*p < 0.05; ^**p < 0.01; ^***p < 0.001