Prognostic Value of the Stem Cell Markers Epcam and CD133 Expression Of Gallbladder Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the expressions and prognostic value of stem cell markers, EpCAM and CD133, in benign and malignant lesions of gallbladder.

METHODOLOGY: Expression of EpCAM and CD133 was assessed in gallbladder adenocarcinoma (n = 100), peritumoral tissues (n = 46), adenoma (n = 30), polyp (n = 15), and chronic cholecystitis (n = 35) by using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The positive rates of EpCAM and CD133 expression were significantly higher in gallbladder adenocarcinoma than that in peritumoral tissues (χ2(EpCAM7) = 15.36, χ2(CD133) =16.05; Ps < 0.01), adenoma (χ2 (EpCAM) =10.92, χ2(CD133) = 11.09; Ps < 0.01), polyp (χ2(EpCAM) = 8.88, χ2(CD133) = 10.43; Ps < 0.01) and chronic cholecystitism (χ2(EpCAM) = 28.58, χ2(CD133) =25.57; Ps < 0.01). In adenocarcinoma, the positive expression of EpCAM and CD133 was significanctly associated with differentiation, tumor mass, lymph node metastasis, invasion and overall survival. Notably, the benign lesions with positive EpCAM or /and CD133 expression showed moderately or severely atypical hyperplasia in gallbladder epithelium. The high consistence was found between the expressive levels of EpCAM and CD133 in gallbladder adenocarcinoma (χ2 = 10.02, P < 0.01). Unitivariate Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that high level of EpCAM (P = 0.004) and CD133 (P = 0.012) were associated with poor overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The elevated expression of EpCAM and/or CD133 is closely related to the carcinogenesis, progression, clinical biological behaviors, and prognosis of gallbladder adenocarcinoma.