Original Articles
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2000. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Dec 15, 2000; 6(6): 800-804
Published online Dec 15, 2000. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v6.i6.800
Detection of hepatitis C virus NS5 protein and genome in Chinese carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct and its significance
Ming Yi Chen, Zhi Qiang Huang, Le Zhen Chen, Ya Bing Gao, Rui Yun Peng, De Wen Wang
Ming Yi Chen, Zhi Qiang Huang, Research Institute of General Surgery, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, General Hospital of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing 100853, China
Le Zhen Chen, Department of Pathology, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100853, China
Ya Bing Gao, Rui Yun Peng, De Wen Wang, Experimental Pathologic Laboratory, Institute of Medical Radiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, China
Ming Yi Chen, graduated from Luzhou Medical College in 1987, obtained M.D. in the First Military Medical University in 1993, now as a postgraduate in Research Institute of General Surgery, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, General Hospital of PLA, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Ming Yi Chen, Research Institute of Gener al Surgery, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, General Hospital of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing 100853, China. Email: chenmingyi@yahoo.com
Telephone: 0086-10-66937322
Received: April 24, 2000
Revised: May 7, 2000
Accepted: May 12, 2000
Published online: December 15, 2000
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the tissues of carcinoma of extrahepatic bile duct and study their correlation.

METHODS: HCV NS5 protein and HCV RNA were detected by labeled streptavidin biotin (LSAB) method and in situ reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (IS-RT-PCR) in sections of 51 cases of carcinoma of extrahepatic bile duct and 34 cases of control group (without malignant biliary disease).

RESULTS: In 51 cases of carcinoma of extrahepatic bile duct, HCV NS5 protein was detected in 14 (27.5%), which was clearly stained in the cytoplasm of cancer cell but not in the nucleus or cell membrane. HCV RNA was detected in 18 (35.4%), which was located in the nucleus of cancer cell in 12 cases and in the cytoplasm in 6 cases. HCV NS5 protein and RNA coexistence was found in 2 cases. In 34 cases of control group, HCV RNA was detected in 2 (5.9%). HCV NS5 protein and RNA positive cells were found either scattered or in clusters.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hepatitis C viral infection in the tissues of carcinoma of extrahepatic bile duct was significantly higher than in control group (χ² = 9.808, P = 0.002). The findings suggest a correlation between HCV infection and carcinoma of extrahepatic bile duct, which is different from the traditional viewpoint. HCV infection might be involved in the development of carcinoma of extrahepatic bile duct.

Keywords: hepatitis C virus; bile duct neoplasm; polymerase chain reaction; immunohistochemistry; risk factors; genes, suppressor, tumor; transfection; genome