Aberrant p53 expression and the development of gallbladder carcinoma and adenoma.
Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is a highly lethal but relatively rare neoplasm of the digestive tract. The progression from gallbladder adenoma to carcinoma remains unclear. The p53 gene is the most frequently mutated tumor suppressor in human cancers. In this study, we analyzed the expression patterns of the p53 protein in 22 cases of GBC, 17 cases of precursor lesions (16 gallbladder adenomas and 1 cystadenoma), and 15 cases of normal epithelia using immunohistochemical analysis. The results were correlated with clinicopathologic characteristics. We found that p53 expression was significantly increased in 59.1% (13/22) of GBC cases and in 17.6% (3/17) of gallbladder adenoma cases (p = 0.009). There was no p53 expression in the 15 cases of normal epithelia, and a significant difference was shown between normal epithelium and GBC cases (p < 0.001). In addition, the expression pattern of p53 protein did not show any significant correlation with the histologic type and the differentiation grade of GBC. In conclusion, we suggest that the aberrant p53 expression may play a role in the occurrence of GBC.
Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Shen-Nien
SN
Wang
Shin-Chang
SC
Chung
Kun-Bow
KB
Tsai
Chee-Yin
CY
Chai
Wen-Tsun
WT
Chang
Kung-Kai
KK
Kuo
Jong-Shyone
JS
Chen
King-Teh
KT
Lee
D000236:Adenoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D016158:Genes, p53; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis*
D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53