Cholecystitis is a common problem in the Indian subcontinent with gallstones as the underlying pathology in majority of patients (pts.). Gallstones are also considered as the predisposing factor for gall bladder cancer (GBC), the most common malignancy of the biliary tract (BTC) in India. This pilot study was done to evaluate the expression of ErbB-1 and ErbB-2 in gallbladder specimen removed for cholecystitis (benign disease). The study of these markers in benign disease may serve as a future tool for comparative studies in pt. with GBC and evaluate newer targeted therapies for the same.

The present study was done in tertiary care center in north India, in which 11 samples were submitted for ErbB-1 and ErbB-2 evaluation. After performing necessary processing, slides were incubated with primary antibody (ErbB or EGFR) ready to use (RTU) BioGenex, India and ErbB-2 or HER-2/neu dilution 1:600, Dakopatts, Denmark). Then slides were incubated with secondary antibody (Real Envision Detection Kit, Dakopatts, Denmark).Finally in mounted slides, cell membrane staining used to assess positivity for ErbB-1 and ErbB-2.

The data was reviewed on completion of the study, ErbB-1 found to be positive in 7/11(63.64%) and negative in 4/11(36.36%) patients. Likewise, ErbB-2 found to be positive in 9/11(81.82%) pateints and negative in 2/11(18.18%) pateints.

Cholecystitis and cholelithiasis are two major etiological factors in GBC etiology; it is worthwhile to make efforts in diagnosing it in earlier stage. By assessing ErbB-1 and ErbB-2 in Indian scenario and correlating it with GBC, we can make out better plan to handle this deadly disease. Despite the efforts by many investigators, GBC continues to represent a major challenge in oncology. Since this is a pilot study, further larger studies based on molecular understanding are warranted so that new targeted therapies may be developed which may increase the survival of patients with this disease.

Cholecystectomy, Cholelithiasis, ErbB-1, ErbB-2, Gallbladder carcinoma, targeted therapy