Potential biomarkers in gallbladder cancer: present status and future directions

Abstract

Context: Carcinoma of the gallbladder (GBC) is the most common biliary tree cancer in the world. Beside gallstones, no specific risk factors for GBC are currently established. Several published studies have identified various prognostic gene expression markers in GBC.

Objective: The present article reviewed published studies on gene expression biomarkers and gallbladder cancer susceptibility.

Methods: We searched the PubMed, Medline, and Embase databases using the search terms "Gallbladder", "cancer/carcinoma", "expression", "genes", "proteins", and "biomarker" updated until June 2012 and limited to English language papers. The online searching was accompanied by checking reference lists from the identified articles for potentially eligible original reports.

Results: Potential GBC biomarkers identified by different studies were summarized.

Conclusion: To infer, the present article highlights a few potential biomarkers in GBC. However, none of the markers identified so far are effective as a routine screening test in GBC.