Fas and Fas ligand: Expression and soluble circulating levels in bile duct carcinoma
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- Published online on: June 1, 2004 https://doi.org/10.3892/or.11.6.1183
- Pages: 1183-1186
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Abstract
Alteration of the Fas receptor (Fas)-/ligand (FasL) system including their soluble forms (sFas and sFasL) is thought to be one of the mechanisms preventing the immune system from rejecting the tumor cells. We investigated the tissue expression of Fas, FasL, and the alteration of sFas and sFasL in patients with bile duct carcinoma. Thirty-four samples were immunostained for Fas and FasL, and levels of sFas and sFasL in the serum of 62 patients were determined using an enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay. Patients with strongly positive Fas levels showed significantly better prognosis than those with weakly positive or negative Fas levels. The mean serum levels of sFas in healthy individuals were significantly higher in patients with carcinoma. However, the mean serum levels of sFasL were significantly lower in the patients with carcinoma. Serum levels of sFas and sFasL might be a significant and independent prognostic parameter in patients with bile duct carcinoma.
