The expression of B7-H3 and B7-H4 in human gallbladder carcinoma and their clinical implications

C.-L. Liu, X.-X. Zang, H. Huang, H. Zhang, C. Wang, Y.-L. Kong, H.-Y. Zhang

Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Air Force General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China. liuchengli8866@sina.com

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• Oncology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of B7-H3 and B7-H4 and their clinical implications in human gallbladder carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression of B7-H3 and B7-H4 in the 252 samples (126 cases of chronic cholecystitis and 126 cases of gallbladder cancer) was detected by the streptavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemical method, and their associations with tumor classification, clinical grade, and recurrence were assessed.

RESULTS: In chronic cholecystitis tissue, B7-H3 and B7-H4 were not detected. In 126 cases of gallbladder carcinoma, the positive rates of B7-H3 and B7-H4 expression were 66.67% and 69.05% respectively (p < 0.05). The positive rate of B7-H3 in the primary-onset group was 53.57%, and that in recurrence group was 92.86% (p < 0.05). The positive rate of B7-H4 in the primary-onset group was 85.19%, and that in recurrence group was 40.00% (p < 0.05). Expression of B7-H3 was consistent with B7-H4 expression in gallbladder carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS: B7-H3 and B7-H4 were up-regulated in gallbladder cancer; the high expression of B7-H3 may contribute to the early diagnosis of gallbladder carcinoma and the assessment of postoperative survival and recurrence. B7-H4 may play an important role in the incidence of gallbladder cancer. B7-H3 and B7-H4 may play a synergetic role in gallbladder carcinoma. Combined tests were available for the diagnosis, degree assessment and prognosis of gallbladder carcinoma, which may be a new target for molecular targeted therapy of gallbladder carcinoma.

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