Expression and prognostic significance of epithelial cell adhesion molecule and heparanase in gallbladder carcinoma

Objective:To observe the expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule(Ep-CAM) and heparanase(Hpa) in primary gallbladder carcinoma,and to investigate their role in the genesis and development of primary gallbladder carcinoma.Methods:Ep-CAM protein and Hpa protein were determined in 50 cases of primary gallbladder carcinoma,20 cases of gallbladder adenoma and 20 cases of chronic cholecystitis using immunohistochemistry EliVisionTM plus staining method.Results:The positive rate of Ep-CAM expression in gallbladder carcinoma was higher than that in cholecystitis(P0.05).The positive rate of Hpa expression in gallbladder carcinoma was higher than that in gallbladder adenoma and cholecystitis(P0.05).The positive rate of Ep-CAM expression and Hpa in gallbladder carcinoma was related with the Nevin stages(P0.05 and P0.01).The median survival time of the tumor patients with or without overexpression of Ep-CAM was 13 and 24 months,respectively.Conclusions:The expression of Ep-CAM and Hpa may play an important part in the genesis and progression of gallbladder carcinoma,and may act as a marker for gallbladder carcinoma metastasis.Ep-CAM can be used as a prognostic marker for patients with advanced gallbladder carcinoma.