Value of c-erbB-2, EGFR, p53 protein and PCNA Expression in Gallbladder Cancer

Abstract

Background/Aims: Many molecular biologic studies have been performed to search for prognostic factors in various forms of human cancer. But studies of this type, relating to gallbaldder cancery have been very few. The present study aims to assess the prognostic value of the oncogene and tumor suppressor gene products. Methods: We evaluated expressions of c-erbB-2, EGFR, p53 protein, and PCNA on 42 gallbaldder cancers using the immunohistochemical staining and compared this with the survival and the parameters well-known as prognostic factors in gallbladder cancer, such as stage, lymph node metastasis, and histologic differentiation. Results: Expressions of c-erbB-2, EGFR, p53 protein, and PCNA showed in 9(21.4%), 26(61.9%), 20(47.6%), and 22(52.4%) respectively. Neither c-erbB-2 expression nor EGFR expression was related to stage, lymph node metastasis, histologic differentiation and survival(p>0.05). The expression rate of p53 protein was significantly higher in advanced stages(47% in III and 63% in IV) than in early stages(20% in I and 25% in II)(p<0.05), but did not correlate with survival(p>0.05). PCNA expression was inversely related to histologic differentiation(30% in well, 43% in moderately, 89% in poorly, 100% in undifferentiation)(p<0.05) and survival(7.6% 2-year survival rate for high PCNA expression, 48.7% for low PCNA expression)(p=0.007), but was not related to stage, lymph node metastasis (p>0.05). Conclusions: We found PCNA expression to have an inverse prognostic value and c-erbB-2 and EGFR expression show a trend of poor prognosis but p53 protein expression does not correlate with prognosis in gallbladder cancer. (Korean J Gastroenterol 1997; 30:664-676)