Background: The ability of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays in endoscopic transpapillary bile duct biopsy specimens to predict the prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has not been elucidated.
Aims: We aimed to clarify the association between the results of UroVysion FISH assays and the prognosis of CCA.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 49 specimens obtained by transpapillary forceps biopsy from consecutive patients with CCA. The copy numbers of chromosomes 3, 7, and 17 were evaluated by FISH assay using UroVysion. We compared the overall survival (OS) of CCA patients with and without increased copy numbers of chromosomes 3, 7, and 17. Furthermore, we evaluated the association between OS and the clinicopathological parameters of CCA patients.
Results: The OS was significantly shorter in patients with than without an increased chromosome 7 copy number (log-rank p = 0.015; median OS 11.9 vs. 20.7 months). In the univariate analyses, age (p = 0.012), ECOG performance status (p = 0.046), tumor stage (p = 0.046), surgery (p = 0.006), and an increased chromosome 7 copy number (p = 0.017) were significantly associated with OS. The multivariate analysis revealed that an increased chromosome 7 copy number (hazard ratio, 2.46; 95% CI 1.15-5.27; p = 0.021) and advanced clinical stage (hazard ratio, 2.26; 95% CI 1.11-4.63; p = 0.025) were independently predictive of a poor OS.
Conclusions: Detection by FISH assay of an increased chromosome 7 copy number in transpapillary forceps biopsy specimens is predictive of a poor prognosis in CCA patients.
Keywords: Biomarker; Cholangiocarcinoma; Chromosome 7 copy number; Fluorescence in situ hybridization; Transpapillary forceps biopsy.