Expressions and significance of β-catenin and APC in primary gallbladder carcinoma

Objective: To study the expressions of β-catenin and adenomatous polyposis coil(APC) protein in gallbladder benign disease and carcinoma,and to analyze their possible correlation with clinicopathological features.Methods: The expressions of β-catenin and APC were determined by immunohistochemistry method in 90 cases of benign and malignant gallbladder disease,and the results were analyzed.Results: The abnormal positive expression rates of β-catenin in primary gallbladder carcinoma,gallbladder adenoma and chronic cholecystitis were 86.0%,80.0% and 25.0%,respectively(P<0.01).The abnormal positive expression of β-catenin in gallbladder carcinoma was closely related with Nevin stage and metastasis(P<0.01).The positive expression rates of APC in gallbladder carcinoma,gallbladder adenoma and chronic cholecystitis were 48.0%,85.0% and 90.0%,respectively(P<0.01).The positive expression of APC had no significant correlation with age,gender,histologic type,pathological grade,gallbladder stone,Nevin stage or metastasis(P>0.05).In gallbladder carcinoma,the abnormal expression of β-catenin had a negative correlation with the expression of APC(P<0.05).Conclusions: Loss of APC gene and abnormal expression of β-catenin are the early event in the occurrence of gallbladder carcinoma;Wnt pathway may play an important role in the genesis and development of gallbladder carcinoma.Loss of cell adhesion may also have correlation with the occurrence and development of gallbladder carcinoma.