Korean J Pathol.  2003 Dec;37(6):384-392.

Expression of Urokinase-type Plasminogen Activator (uPA) and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in Gallbladder Carcinoma

• Lee KH
• Kang HJ
• Lee SY
• Park MH

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are evidences that uPA and its inhibitor play a key role in tumor spread. We studied whether uPA and PAI-1 expressions could serve as prognostic parameters along with clinical, gross and microscopic findings in gallbladder carcinomas.
METHODS
We analyzed 42 cases of gallbladder carcinomas by immunohistochemical staining and clinicopathologic parameters.
RESULTS
uPA and PAI-1 were more frequently expressed in the adenocarcinoma than in the normal or benign gallbladder tissue. The uPA expression in the glands of low grade adenocarcinoma was significantly correlated with both distant and lymph node metastases. The uPA expression in the stroma around the low grade adenocarcinoma was significantly correlated with either distant or lymph node metastasis. The PAI-1 expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis only for both distant and lymph node metastases. In multivariate analysis, the lymphatic invasion was significantly related to poor survival (p= 0.0115). In univariate analysis, the cases without lymphatic invasion had prolonged survival. Positive expression of uPA in the glands of low-grade adenocarcinoma was significantly correlated with poor survival (p=0.0391).
CONCLUSION
In conjunction with clinicopathologic findings, expressions of uPA and PAI-1 may be useful prognostic markers in gallbladder carcinomas.

Keyword

Urokinase; Type Plasminogen Activator; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; Gallbladder Neoplasmsx; Prognosis

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma
Gallbladder*
Lymph Nodes
Multivariate Analysis
Neoplasm Metastasis
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1
Plasminogen Activators*
Plasminogen*
Prognosis
Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator*
Plasminogen
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1
Plasminogen Activators
Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator