as a prognostic biomarker correlated with immune infiltrates in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

[BACKGROUND] Matrix metalloproteinase 11 () plays a vital role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, tumor angiogenesis, migration, and other basic processes. Currently, few studies have examined the value of MMP11 in pancreatic cancer in relation to prognostic risk, diagnostic indicators, and immunotherapy. This study aims to explore the association between and the tumor immune microenvironment in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD).

[METHODS] We selected clinical samples and data downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype-Tissue Expression, in addition, we use other online data for further analysis. Through a comprehensive bioinformatics investigation, we systematically analyzed the clinical significance and expression level of in pancreatic cancer.

[RESULTS] was overexpressed in many cancers, and a higher expression of was associated with a poorer prognosis in pancreatic cancer. Conversely, the hypermethylation of was associated with better overall survival. The expression network had widespread effects on the prognosis and immune activation of PAAD. The expression of was significantly associated with a variety of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. An association was also found between expression and chemokines in PAAD. High expression might be involved in immune cell migration to the tumor microenvironment.

[CONCLUSIONS] MMP11 is a prognostic biomarker for patients in pancreatic cancer and may regulate the tumor immune microenvironment. The potential effects and mechanisms of in PAAD require further exploring.