Glycine N-methyltransferase is a favorable prognostic marker for human cholangiocarcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) is a susceptibility gene for human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We previously reported that GNMT expression is diminished in HCC. Here we report our examination of GNMT expression patterns in cholangiocarcinoma and the relationship between its expression and prognosis.


METHODS
We analyzed GNMT expression in tumor tissues from 33 cholangiocarcinoma patients (19 male) using immunohistochemistry (IHC) procedures with a GNMT monoclonal antibody (mAb 4-17). GNMT expression intensity and percentages were scored on a scale of 0 to 6. The association between GNMT expression and survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and prognostic factors were evaluated with a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model.


RESULTS
High GNMT expression was found in epithelial cells of normal bile ducts. Six of 33 (18.2%) cholangiocarcinoma tissues had no GNMT expression. A statistically significant difference was noted in GNMT expression between male and female patients (68.4% vs 100%, P < 0.05). Compared to patients with GNMT expression scores > 3, the death hazard ratio for patients with GNMT scores <or= 3 was 3.68 (95% confidence interval = 1.17-11.59, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
GNMT expression is a favorable prognosis predictor for cholangiocarcinoma.
Huang
Yu-Chuen
YC
AIDS Prevention and Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chen
Marcelo
M
Shyr
Yi-Ming
YM
Su
Cheng-Hsi
CH
Chen
Chi-Kuan
CK
Li
Anna Fen-Yau
AF
Ho
Donald Ming-Tak
DM
Chen
Yi-Ming Arthur
YM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D050938:Glycine N-Methyltransferase / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C494510:GNMT protein, human; D050938:Glycine N-Methyltransferase