Role of thymidylate synthase and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase mRNA expressions in gallbladder carcinoma

Purpose Thymidylate synthase (TS) and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) are important enzymes in the metabolism of 5-fluorouracil, which have been examined as possible predictive markers. We conducted this study to clarify the role of TS and DPD expressions in gallbladder carcinoma (GBC). Methods The subjects were 28 patients who underwent surgical resection of GBC. We examined intratumoral TS and DPD mRNA expressions, using the Danenberg tumor profile method. The expression levels were classified into two groups, based on median values. Clinicopathological variables, including prognosis, were then compared between the high and low expression groups. Results There was a significant difference in the incidence of lymph node metastasis between the high and low TS expression groups. The incidence of advanced clinical stage was higher in the low TS expression group than in the high TS expression group. However, no clear correlation was observed between the DPD mRNA expression and any clinicopathological variable. There was no significant difference in the postoperative survival rates between the groups, in accordance with the expression of TS or DPD genes. Conclusion Low TS mRNA was correlated with a high incidence of lymph node metastasis and advanced clinical stage. Therefore, TS gene expression may help identify patients at increased risk of the progression of GBC.