[Expression of P-glycoprotein in benign and malignant gallbladder neoplasms].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationship between P-glycoprotein expression and anti-cancer drug resistance of gallbladder carcinoma and the use of P-glycoprotein as a biomarker of gallbladder carcinoma, the expression of P-glycoprotein was detected in benign and malignant gallbladder neoplasms and normal gallbladder tissues.

METHODS

Alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) method was used to detect the expression of P-glycoprotein in different gallbladder tissues (gallbladder carcinoma, 26 cases; benign gallbladder neoplasm, 14 cases; and normal gallbladder tissue, 9 cases). The relationship between expression of P-glycoprotein, TNM stages and other clinical data of gallbladder carcinoma was also analyzed.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemical staining with a monoclonal antibody JSB-1, P-glycoprotein was positive in 76.9% (20/26) of gallbladder carcinomas, in 35.7% (5/14) of benign gallbladder neoplasms and in 33.3% (3/9) of normal gallbladder tissues (P < 0.05). With another monoclonal antibody UIC-2, the positive rates were 69.2% (18/26), 21.4% (3/14) and 11.1% (1/9), respectively (P < 0.01). There was no significant correlation between P-glycoprotein expression and gallbladder carcinoma TNM staging.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that P-glycoprotein probably plays an important role in the poor response of gallbladdar carcinoma to chemotherapeutic agents. In addition, P-glycoprotein may be used a valuable biomarker of gallbladder carcinoma.