Laminin-5 (gamma2 chain) is a marker of invading cancer cells in human gallbladder carcinoma: special emphasis on extension of carcinoma in situ along Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses.
Gallbladder carcinoma (GC) is a relatively uncommon malignancy and is often caused by diagnostic difficulties in distinguishing the extension of carcinoma in situ (CIS) from invasive carcinoma along Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses (RAS). The laminin-5, a heterotrimer, is composed of alpha-3, beta-3 and gamma-2 chains. The gamma-2 chain is expressed in various invasive carcinoma cells. There are numerous reports that have described that laminin-5-gamma-2 is associated with tissue invasion in many organs. However, few studies are found in gallbladder carcinoma. To clarify the relationship between laminin-5-gamma-2 chain (LN-5) expression and the development of GCs, we performed an immunohistochemical study of 93 GCs. Cases were classified into three groups: CIS with/without the extension along RAS (Group A; n=17), carcinoma invading mucosa or muscular layer (Group B; n=5) and carcinoma invading beyond perimuscular connective tissue (Group C; n=71). The immunohistochemical intracytoplasmic expression was detected in the invasive fronts of the tumor. In the invasive components of Group B and C, LN-5 was expressed in 100 and 97% of cases, respectively, whereas in the CIS lesions of GCs, expression was not observed in Group A. LN-5 expression in the GCs tended to increase as tumors developed, which may be an indicator of the potential invasiveness of the tumor. Our results indicate that, in GCs, a strong intracytoplasmic expression of LN-5 was identified in the cancer cells whether in situ they extend along RAS or invading stroma.
Kyushu Cancer Center, Fukuoka 811-1395, Japan. eguchi.t@hamanomachi.jp
Takashi
T
Eguchi
Takahiro
T
Inoue
Kei
K
Fujii
Hiroshi
H
Yamaguchi
Ken-Ichi
K
Nishiyama
Hirotoshi
H
Yonemasu
Takashi
T
Yao
Masao
M
Tanaka
Masazumi
M
Tsuneyoshi
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D000097794:Kalinin
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D000097794:Kalinin