Immunohistochemical study of microvessel density, CD44 (standard form), p53 protein and c-erbB2 in gallbladder carcinoma.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the present study was to investigate microvessel density (MVD), and the expression of CD44 adhesion molecule, p53 protein and c-erbB2 in gallbladder carcinoma, and their relation to histological grade and tumor invasiveness.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining with antibodies against factor VIIIRAg, CD44 standard form (CD44s), p53 protein and c-erbB2 was performed on paraffin sections from 33 cases of gallbladder carcinoma.

RESULTS

Significant increase of MVD with increasing depth of invasion (P < 0.02) was observed. No association of MVD with histological differentiation, CD44s, p53 and c-erbB2 protein expression was found. The expression of p53 protein was significantly higher in deeply invasive tumors (P = 0.028) and in moderately and poorly differentiated carcinomas (P < 0.05). The CD44s expression was higher in well-differentiated carcinomas (P < 0.05). c-erbB2 expression was found in 30.4% of tumors studied, but did not relate to any other parameters.

CONCLUSION

Microvessel density and p53 protein expression increase progressively with increasing tumor invasiveness in gallbladder carcinomas. Microvessel density, p53 protein, CD44s, and perhaps c-erbB2 expression may be implicated in gallbladder carcinoma evolution.