ets-1 expression in extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma and cholangiocellularcarcinoma

ets-l is a transcription factor known to induce the expression of various g enes important for carcinoma progression, However, its clinical significanc e does not seem to be uniform for all carcinomas. In this study, we investi gated the ets-l expression in 41 extrahepatic bile duct carcinomas (BDC) an d 19 cholangiocellular carcinomas (CCC), Epithelial cells of normal ducts o nly occasionally expressed ets-l,whereas cells of reactive ducts and dyspla stic ducts were often positive for this protein, On the other hand, 61.0% o f BDC and 21.6% of CCC were classified as ets-l-positive, because more than 5% of the carcinoma cells expressed ets-l. The expression of ets-l showed inverse relationships with the Ki-67-labeling index and vascular and perine ural invasion of BDC, whereas no such relationships could be established in CCC, Furthermore, the well-differentiated BCD more frequently expressed et s-l, These results suggest that ets-l works as a transcription factor in ma lignant transformation and progression in early phases of BDC. Copyright (C ) 2000 S, Karger AG, Basel.