Prognostic significance of survivin in resected gallbladder cancer

Abstract Background Survivin, a novel inhibitor of apoptosis, plays a role in oncogenesis and has been correlated with poor prognosis. We investigated its expression in gallbladder tissues of control, cholelithiasis, and gallbladder cancer (GBC). Survivin expression was correlated with different clinicopathologic parameters including prognosis in patients with GBC. Materials and methods Gallbladder tissue samples were collected from GBC ( n  = 39), cholelithiasis ( n  = 30), and control ( n  = 25). Expression of survivin messenger RNA (mRNA) was evaluated by real time polymerase chain reaction. Protein quantification was done by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Significantly higher expression of survivin mRNA was observed in GBC (2.9-fold) and cholelithiasis (1.85-fold) as compared with control ( P versus stage II) ( P versus well) ( P versus 18 mo). Conclusions Differential expression of survivin in GBC suggests its possible role in gallbladder carcinogenesis. Its overexpression is associated with poor prognosis. Assessment of survivin might be used to stratify GBC patients for optimal treatment modalities, including targeted therapy.