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

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.