Expression of c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and its clinical significance.
BACKGROUND
Many investigators have indicated that overexpression and amplification of the human proto-oncogene c-erbB-2 is an independent prognostic factor for primary tumors. We studied expression of c-erbB-2 protein in tissues from extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, tissues peripheral to the carcinoma and normal bile ducts, and discussed the occurrence and development of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Another aim was to explore possible application of the c-erbB-2 gene for clinical diagnosis, pathological differentiation and treatment of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas.


METHODS
The c-erbB-2 expression levels from 75 samples of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, 48 samples of tissues peripheral to the carcinoma and 9 samples from normal bile ducts were assayed by immunohistochemical streptavidinbiotin complex (SABC).


RESULTS
The rates of c-erbB-2 expression in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas, tissues peripheral to the carcinomas, and normal bile ducts were 80% (60/75), 56% (27/48), and 0% (0/9), respectively. In the extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas, the expression of c-erbB-2 was directly proportional to the malignant grade and tumor metastasis. The expression rate of c-erbB-2 in tumors with nerve infiltration was significantly higher than in those without nerve infiltration. The expression rates of c-erbB-2 in tumors with histological grade III/IV were significantly higher than in those with histological grade I. The expression of c-erbB-2 was not correlated with the size or position of tumors, blood vessel infiltration or patients' sex or age.


CONCLUSIONS
c-erbB-2 was only expressed in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas and tissues peripheral to the carcinomas but not in normal bile ducts, indicating that c-erbB-2 may play an important role in the occurrence and development of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The fact that the expression level of c-erbB-2 was highly correlated with differentiation grade and metastasis of the tumor suggests potential clinical importance of c-erbB-2 as a tumor biomarker in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
Zheng
Jun
J
Department of General Surgery, First College of Clinical Medical Science of China Three Gorges University (Yichang Central People's Hospital), Yichang 443003, China. zhengjun1995@163.com
Zhu
Yao-Ming
YM
D000368:Aged; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000378:metabolism; D001710:Biotin / Q000737:chemistry; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D019809:Streptavidin / Q000737:chemistry
D001710:Biotin; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D019809:Streptavidin; C000715470:MAS1 protein, human