Prognostic significance of muc4 expression in gallbladder carcinoma

Abstract

BackgroundMucins are high molecular glycoproteins and play protective and lubricating roles in various epithelial tissues. Deregulated expression of mucins is involved in carcinogenesis and tumor invasion. MUC4 expression has been identified as a poor prognostic factor in pancreatobiliary carcinomas. To date, the relation between MUC4 expression and prognosis in gallbladder carcinoma remains to be determined. Authors examined MUC4 expression in gallbladder carcinoma and investigated its impact on prognosis.MethodsThe expression profiles of MUC4, MUC1, MUC2 mucins in gallbladder carcinoma tissues from 63 patients were investigated using immunohistochemical staining.ResultsFor gallbladder carcinoma, positive staining of MUC4, MUC1, and MUC2 was 55.6%, 81.0%, 28.6%, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the expression of MUC4 and the expression of MUC1 or MUC2 (p = 0.004, p = 0.009, respectively). Univariate analysis showed that MUC4 expression (p = 0.047), differentiation (p < 0.05), T-stage (p < 0.05) and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with poor survival. Expression of MUC1 and MUC2 was not correlated to survival. The backward stepwise multivariate analysis showed that MUC4 expression (p = 0.039) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.001) were significant independent risk factors. In combined assessment of MUC4 and MUC2 expression, MUC4 positive and MUC2 negative group showed a significantly worse outcome than MUC4 negative groups(MUC4-/MUC2+ and MUC4-/MUC2-) and MUC4/MUC2 co-expression group(MUC4+/MUC2+) (p < 0.05).ConclusionsMUC4 expression in gallbladder carcinoma is an independent poor prognostic factor. Therefore, MUC4 expression may be a useful marker to predict the outcome of patients with surgically resected gallbladder carcinoma. MUC2 expression may have prognostic value when combined with MUC4 expression.

Clinicopathological and Prognostic Significance of MUC-2, MUC-4 and MUC-5AC Expression in Japanese Gastric Carcinomas

“…The survival analysis showed that MUC-4 expression was statistically significant risk factors affecting the outcome of the patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma-mass forming type as an independent risk factor (Shibahara et al, 2004). MUC 4-positive patients had a definite trend towards better survival of laryngeal squamous cancer (Paleri et al, 2004) and gallbladder carcinoma (Lee et al 2012). In addition, patients with MUC-5AC-positive tumors also had poor clinicopathological parameters and showed shorter survival than those with MUC-5AC-negative gastric cancer (Kocer et al, 2004).…”

Prognostic value of TROP2 expression in patients with gallbladder cancer

“…Although several clinicopathologic features have been the standard for determining the clinical outcome of GBC patients, this classification scheme is probably an imprecise predictor of the prognosis of an individual patient [22]. Thus, it is necessary to identify novel and effective biologic markers which are associated with advanced tumor progression for the early diagnosis and the discovery of a therapeutic target.…”

Expression of MUC5B Protein and mRNA in Gallbladder Membrane Directly Correlated with Gallstone Nucleation

“…Firstly, it is crucial to investigate mucin/s which is more prominently present in stone bearing gallbladder tissue than without stone. There are many studies which shows presence of different mucins in gallbladder tissue like MUC1 [23], MUC2 [24], MUC4 [25], MUC5AC [26], MUC5B [27], MUC6 [28] etc. So we decided to see all secretary/ gellforming mucins in stone bearing gallbladder tissue.…”