High ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2s expression is an independent factor of unfavorable prognosis in patients with gallbladder cancer

Objective To investigate the expression of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2s (UBE2S) in gallbladder cancer (GBC) tissues and its clinical significance. Methods The expression of UBE2S was examined in 85 GBC, 28 pre-malignant lesion and 15 benign lesion tissues of the gallbladder by immunohistochemistry, and was verified by western blotting. The relationship between UBE2S expression and clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors of GBC patients was analyzed. Results Immunohistochemistry showed that UBE2S was highly expressed in GBC tissues compared to pre-malignant lesion tissues [stain index (SI): 4.082±3.413 vs. 2.607±2.025, P=0.021)] and benign lesion tissues (SI: 4.082±3.413 vs. 2.067±1.335, P=0.001), and western blotting showed that UBE2S protein was highly expressed in GBC tissues compared to benign lesion tissues (grey-scale value: 0.734±0.181 vs. 0.197±0.099, P=0.002). UBE2S was positively correlated with tumor differentiation degree (χ2=6.978, P=0.031) and liver metastasis (χ2=8.155, P=0.004). Cox model showed that UBE2S expression (P=0.024) as well as tumor differentiation degree (P=0.000), Nevin stage (P=0.040) and R0 resection (P=0.011) were prognostic factors of GBC patients. High UBE2S expression patients with GBC have a shorter survival time (P=0.011). Conclusion High UBE2S expression is an independent factor of unfavorable prognosis in GBC patients. Key words: Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2s; Gallbladder neoplasm; Prognosis