Abstract

Anshoo Agarwal

Background: Gall-Bladder Cancer (GBC) is a neoplasm common in certain parts of the world. The various studies reported vary due to geographical and racial differences. North India presents itself as a major center for this fatal cancer with a varied gene and protein expression profile. The pathogenesis of GBC is a much talked about phenomenon and often reports the immune-expression of Ki67 and HER-2. HER2 is an oncoprotein which is overexpressed in some malignancies including breast and GIT. HER2 and Ki67 are overexpressed in gallbladder cancer and in precancerous lesions. In our study, we have attempted to identify the immune-expression of HER-2 and Ki67 in Gall Bladder lesion (Non-neoplastic and pre-neoplastic) cases. The primary reasons for twisted results seen in the different studies can be credited to the source of antibodies used for immunohistochemistry, race of the patient cohort, and criteria used to adjudge positivity in the stained samples .A number of recent studies have identified different immunomarkers overexpression giving rise to their oncogenic potential in non-neoplastic and preneoplastic lesions and has relation with GBC development and progression to Gall bladder carcinoma. The present study was undertaken to assess pattern and level of expression of HER2 in metaplasia, dysplasia, and different type of gallbladder lesions, which would determine its suitability as a prognostic biomarker in neoplastic transformation of gallbladder epithelium. The study was undertaken to find the expression and significance of Ki-67 index and HER2 in these lesions.