The expression of Survivin gene in cholangiocarcinoma and its correlation with bcl-2, bax

Objective To study the expression of Survivin gene and its relationship with the ex-pression of bcl-2, and bax proteins in cholangiocarcinoma. Methods The expression of Survivin mRNA was detected by using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 64 cases of cholangio- carinoma tissue,22 cases of paracarcinoma tissue,and 10 cases of normal bile duct tissue. The expression of bcl-2,and bax proteins in cholangiocarcinoma was detected by immunohistochemical assay. Results The expression rate of Survivin mRNA in cholangiocarcinoma was 65.6% (42/64), which was obviously higher than that in paracarcinoma tissue(9.1%, P 0.05 ). The expression rate of bcl-2, and bax protein in cholangiocarcinoma was 56.3% (36/64), and 45.3% (29/64) respectively. There was a positive correlation between the expression of Survivin and bcl-2 (r =0.404 ,P < 0. 01),whereas a negative correlation between the expression of Survivin and bax(r = - 0.373, P < 0.01 ). Conclusion Survivin gene may play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of cholangiocarcinoma. Sur- vivin gene may be a new target for gene therapy of cholangiocarcinoma. Survivin and bcl-2, bax have a syn- ergic or antagonistic role respectively during the pathogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma. Key words: Cancer of biliary duct ;  Survivin;  bel-2;  bax