Glycine N-methyltransferase is a favorable prognostic marker for human cholangiocarcinoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM:

Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) is a susceptibility gene for human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We previously reported that GNMT expression is diminished in HCC. Here we report our examination of GNMT expression patterns in cholangiocarcinoma and the relationship between its expression and prognosis.

METHODS:

We analyzed GNMT expression in tumor tissues from 33 cholangiocarcinoma patients (19 male) using immunohistochemistry (IHC) procedures with a GNMT monoclonal antibody (mAb 4-17). GNMT expression intensity and percentages were scored on a scale of 0 to 6. The association between GNMT expression and survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and prognostic factors were evaluated with a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model.

RESULTS:

High GNMT expression was found in epithelial cells of normal bile ducts. Six of 33 (18.2%) cholangiocarcinoma tissues had no GNMT expression. A statistically significant difference was noted in GNMT expression between male and female patients (68.4% vs 100%, P < 0.05). Compared to patients with GNMT expression scores > 3, the death hazard ratio for patients with GNMT scores <or= 3 was 3.68 (95% confidence interval = 1.17-11.59, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

GNMT expression is a favorable prognosis predictor for cholangiocarcinoma.

• Authors: Yu-Chuen Huang, Marcelo Chen, Yi-Ming Shyr, Cheng-Hsi Su, Chi-Kuan Chen, Anna Fen-Yau Li, Donald Ming-Tak Ho, Yi-Ming Arthur Chen
• Journal: Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology (J Gastroenterol Hepatol) Vol. 23 Issue 9 Pg. 1384-9 (Sep 2008) ISSN: 1440-1746 [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 18624901 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• GNMT protein, human
• Glycine N-Methyltransferase

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Bile Duct Neoplasms (enzymology, mortality, pathology, surgery)
• Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic (enzymology, pathology, surgery)
• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
• Cholangiocarcinoma (enzymology, mortality, pathology, surgery)
• Female
• Glycine N-Methyltransferase (analysis)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Kaplan-Meier Estimate
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Proportional Hazards Models
• Risk Assessment
• Sex Factors
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome