Expression of Ki-67, Bax and p73 in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCC) is defined as a cholangiocarcinoma located in the bifurcation of the right and left bile duct, constituting 40%-60% of all reported cholangiocarcinoma and 58%-75% of the extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. In this study, we aim to investigate the expression of Ki-67, Bax and p73 in the patients with HCC, and identify their potential roles in the prognosis of HCC. OBJECTIVE: Thirty five HCC patients (male: 25, female: 10) with an average age of 62.8 years were diagnosed with HCC according to the pathological tests. A total of 20 cadavers with normal hilar bile ducts were used as control. METHODS: The expression of Ki-67, Bax, and p73 was determined using immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: The pathological test indicated that Ki-67 expression increased with the stage of the disease, and the infiltration of the cancer cells. Statistical difference was noted in the expression of Bax LI between the patients with HCC and normal control (32.4 +/- 17.6 vs 11.2 +/- 7.9, P < 0.01). Statistical difference was observed between the patients with or without lymphatic metastasis, and those of various differentiation stages (P < 0.05). Among the 35 patients with HCC, expression of p73 was observed in 11 patients (31.43%). Compared with normal control, remarkable increase of p73 expression was noted in the HCC patients (P < 0.01). Additionally, no statistical difference was noted in the expression of p73 in the patients with various disease stages, and those with or without metastasis (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ki-67, Bax, and p73 could be used as biomarkers for the prognosis of HCC.