Telomerase activation--one step on the road to carcinoma of the gall bladder.
BACKGROUND
As information on telomeres and telomerase dynamics in the regulation of cell cycle events accumulates, new opportunities for application to gerontology and cancer therapy are emerging. The aim of this study was to detect the telomerase activity (hTERT protein) in the biopsy specimens of human carcinoma of the gall bladder.


METHODS
Thirty cases each of carcinoma of the gall bladder and cholelithiasis (controls) were analysed. Immunohistochemistry was employed using mouse monoclonal antibody against hTERT protein and by taking human tonsil and testicular tissue as positive controls.


RESULTS
Seventeen cases (56.66%) of carcinoma of the gall bladder and 2 cases (6.66%) of cholelithiasis were strongly positive for telomerase. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). Six cases (20%) of gall bladder carcinoma and one case (3.33%) of cholelithiasis were weakly positive. The difference was highly statistically significant (p<0.001). Telomerase activity was mainly concentrated in poorly-differentiated adenocarcinomas (83.33%) and increased expression was noted in advanced stages.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of telomerase may serve as a molecular marker for the diagnosis of gall bladder carcinoma and may have prognostic and therapeutic implications in the treatment of patients in the future.
Shukla
Vijay K
VK
Department of General Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India. vkshuklabhu@gmail.com
Chauhan
Vikrant S
VS
Kumar
Mohan
M
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000201:enzymology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000737:chemistry; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005260:Female; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019098:Telomerase / Q000378:metabolism*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D019098:Telomerase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase