Cellular 5-hydroxylmethylcytosine content determines tumorigenic potential and prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

We stratified pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) based on the tumorigenic properties of cancer cells, and aimed to identify clinically useful immunohistochemical (IHC) markers with mechanistic insights. The tumorigenic properties of PDACs were determined using patient-derived xenograft in NOD/SCID/IL2Rγ mice. The success of tumor engraftment was significantly correlated to poor survival, and its predictive values were superior to clinicopathological parameters.